Travelers need negative RT-PCR test result to enter Bohol

The provincial Capitol of Bohol. Leo Udtohan/Inquirer Visayas

TAGBILARAN CITY –– Bohol still requires a negative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test result before anyone could enter the province.

But Gov. Arthur Yap, in his Executive Order No. 17 Series of 2021, said some travel requirements such as repeat testing, medical certificate, and Philippine National Police Task Force COVID-19 shield travel authority are no longer required.

Returning residents, including locally stranded individuals and those returning from other places in the country for business and leisure, overseas Filipino workers, and authorized persons outside of residence, including domestic tourists or visiting investors and businessmen, are required only an RT-PCR test conducted within 72 hours before arrival in the province.

For domestic and international tourists, a traveler may opt for testing upon arrival, but they must coordinate with the receiving local government that will facilitate the RT-PCR testing.

The traveler will be required to wait for the result of the RT-PCR test in a government quarantine facility, or an accredited private quarantine facility.

Upon yielding a negative RT-PCR Test, they will no longer undergo repeat testing and further quarantine.

The RT-PCR saliva test shall be honored and recognized, provided that the test shall yield a negative result.

Incoming travelers, who have been issued local government confirmation, or those who already arrived with negative Rapid Antigen Test, will, however, be subjected to repeat testing.

As of Thursday (March 4, 2021), Bohol has 1,101 COVID-19 cases. It includes 90 active cases, 989 recoveries, and 22 deaths.##

LZB