Ilocos Sur Covid home stay allowed

By April M. Bravo

CANDON CITY, Ilocos Sur --  The provincial government, in the spirit of the Christmas season, allowed  returning residents, locally stranded individuals and returning overseas Filipino to  quarantine in their homes provided they follow health and safety protocols.
    This, as 38 active Covid-19 patients were identified in the province.
    Of the 137 total cases recorded in Ilocos Sur, 97 have recovered with two deaths.
    Gov. Ryan Luis Singson issued executive order 45 series of 2020 on Nov. 27 stating that from Dec. 7 to Jan. 10, residents of Ilocos Sur who are outside the province shall be allowed to come home with their respective families for the Christmas season, subject to compliance of  guidelines.
    The travel of returning Ilocos Sur folks shall be coordinated with local government unit of residence.
    They shall secure certificate of acceptance from the barangay captain of their place of residence stating name/s of persons allowed to enter their barangays.
    This document shall be presented at the border prior to entry to the province.
    No facility quarantine shall be required during this period provided returning folks strictly stay at home and be with their families for a period of 14 days upon arrival.
    This is to ensure safety and prevent exposure of other people in the community.
     In lieu of the facility quarantine requirement however, returning folks shall undergo antigen test on the fourth day of stay in the province.
    This test shall be repeated on the 8th and 12th day of stay after which they may be allowed to reintegrate with the community.
     The cost of mandatory antigen testing on the 4th, 8th and 12th day of stay in the province shall be shouldered by the local government.
     All local household members of any RR/LSI/ROF shall be treated as persons under monitoring (PUMS) within a period of 14 days from the time the RR/LSI/ROF arrived in their home.
    The LGU of residence shall strictly monitor their movements and local household members for contact tracing.
     Any RR/LSI/ROF who shall be allowed to enter the province but shall refuse to undergo the antigen test on the 4th, 8th or 12th day of stay shall be endorsed for isolation in a quarantine facility or duly accredited isolation facility of the LGU otherwise, he shall be required to move out the province and return to his place of origin.
     Minor with ages zero to three years old shall not be subjected to antigen test.
     In the municipality of Magsingal, the municipal health office announced antigen test of RR/LSI/ROF on the 4th, 8th and 12th day of stay will be shouldered by the LGU.
    The following are the documents to be presented before entry to the borders of Ilocos Sur:
     For LSIs, health certificate; travel authority (unless transported by any assisting government agency/initiative); proof of residence in Ilocos Sur; certificate of acceptance from the LGU of residence; and negative RT-PCR (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) result taken within 72 hours from the date of entry or antigen test issued within 24 hours before entry, if RT-PCR is not available.
     For RR, required are health certificate; travel authority; ID with residential address in Ilocos Sur; certificate of acceptance from the LGU of residence; negative RT-PCR result taken within 72 hours from the date of entry or antigen test taken within 24 hours before entry, if RT-PCR is not available and certificate of employment stating the status of employment and/or period of the approved vacation from work.
     For ROF, needed documents include certificate from Bureau of Quarantine that he completed the 14-day quarantine period or at least have been subjected to initial quarantine immediately upon arrival in the Philippines, result of negative RT-PCR, travel authority (unless transported by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Dept. of Transportation or any assisting government agency and Certificate of acceptance from the LGU of residence.
     The LGU of residence of RR/LSI/ROF shall be responsible in monitoring movements including local household members.
    They shall see to it that all protocols provided shall be complied with and shall keep a record including results of the antigen test on the succeeding days from arrival.
    The LGU of residence shall have the power to determine measures for the strict implementation of this order. – PIA, Ilocos Sur