INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
CEBU CITY — Fully vaccinated travelers to Cebu are no longer required to present COVID-19 test results.
Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia signed on Friday, Nov. 4, Executive Order No. 43 to ease testing, quarantine, and health protocols for inbound travelers to Cebu to revive the local economy.
“In no case shall a Rapid Antigen Test result be a requirement prior to boarding for travelers bound for Cebu,” the order read.
Unvaccinated travelers are, however, urged to undergo the Rapid Antigen Test within 24 hours before traveling to Cebu.
Those unable to do it can be tested for free upon arrival at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA).
Garcia’s executive order took effect at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 5.
All travelers should present their tickets, passport, or other valid identification cards upon check-in.
Electronic Arrival Cards should be presented only upon arrival in Cebu.
The national government recently required travelers from other countries to fill up its new Electronic Arrival Card, which replaces the One Health Pass.
Passengers can fill up the Electronic Arrival Card within 72 hours before they arrive in the Philippines.
Garcia said fully vaccinated travelers to Cebu shall not be required to present any form of COVID-19 tests such as RT-PCR (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) or Antigen.
She also ordered that the wearing of face masks will be optional for all travelers bound for Cebu and the MCIA.
“All previous memoranda, orders, and issuances inconsistent herewith are suspended, repealed, or modified accordingly,” she said.
COVID-19 tests and wearing face masks were among the health protocols imposed at the start of the pandemic to avoid the dreaded virus.
The Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging and Infectious Diseases issued on Oct. 4 Resolution No. 2, which eased travel restrictions for travelers to the Philippines.
Under the resolution, fully vaccinated travelers no longer have to undergo testing before flying to the Philippines. They only have to present proof of vaccination.
The resolution was approved by President Marcos, who directed all concerned agencies to identify other acceptable proofs of vaccination to avoid confusion and inconvenience to inbound travelers.