Travelers to Tacloban no longer need to undergo swab tests

TACLOBAN CITY — Travelers bound for this city would no longer be required to present any swab test result starting on Monday, Nov. 1.

Mayor Alfred Romualdez issued an executive order easing travel restrictions amid the declining number of COVID-19 in the city.

In lifting the restrictions among travelers, Romualdez said this could encourage more visitors to visit Tacloban and help revive its tourism industry and the economy hit hard by the pandemic.

“Less stringent travel protocols will stimulate and revive a dwindling economy and local tourism and encourage the growth of the commercial sector and economic activity of Tacloban City and neighboring municipalities…” Romualdez said.

Under Executive Order number 2021-10-39, aside from travelers, the easing of travel protocols also affects authorized persons outside the residence and returning residents who will be coming to the city through air, sea, and land travel.

This means that they would no longer be required to have a negative swab test.

However, inbound travelers were ordered to continue wearing face masks and face shields and observe physical distancing in all public places.

As of Monday, Tacloban has 119 active cases of COVID-19.

Of the city’s 138 barangays, 13 have already reached herd immunity, where 70 percent of their populations have been fully vaccinated.