Bohol gov't to lift ban on air, sea travel

TAGBILARAN CITY - After three weeks, Bohol Gov. Arthur Yap has issued a directive to lift the suspension imposed on air and sea travel of passengers bound for Bohol for non-authorized persons outside residence (APORs).

Yap signed Executive Order No. 42 on Tuesday lifting border the closure of Bohol on Wednesday, Sept. 1 but returning residents and tourists still have to comply with requirements, including a negative result of a Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test conducted within 72 hours before arrival.

The executive order states that upon arrival, he or she shall be quarantined in government-approved public or privately owned quarantine facility for five (5) days.

Privately owned quarantine facility should be a Department of Tourism (DOT) accredited accommodation establishment or any private facility/house/home with separate rooms and Toilet Bath facility.

On the fifth day of quarantine period, he/ she shall undergo a repeat RT-PCR Test.

If the result is negative, he/she shall be released. Otherwise, if the result is positive, he/ she shall continue his/ her quarantine and may be allowed to go home only after succeeding tests yield a negative result.

Testing and quarantine protocols for APORs, the strict enforcement of border control in all ports of entry, and the measures to be taken in case of violations, respectively, shall continue to be in effect and strictly enforced.

Bohol banned domestic air and sea travel for 14 days, with some exceptions, last August 6 to prevent further spread of the Delta variant of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

However, it was extended for another week due to rising COVID-19 cases.

The mayors, Medical Task Group, the DILG, the Public Security Task Group and the officers of Provincial Tourism Council (PTC) and Bohol Association of Hotels, Resorts and Restaurants, (BAHRR) recommended the lifting of the air and sea travel of passengers who are classified as non-APOR subject to the same quarantine protocols as that of the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

A province-wide liquor ban remains to minimize social gatherings of considerable number of people which would be the cause of further transmission of the virus.

As of Aug. 31, Bohol reported a total of 13,116 confirmed cases, including 1,842 active cases and 275 residents deaths.  -- BAP, GMA News