Ilocos Sur gov bars travel to CAR, sets Covid restrictions

By Joyah Mae C. Quimoyog

VIGAN CITY – Gov. Ryan Luis V. Singson issued three executive orders on Jan. 30 providing restrictions to prevent entry of Covid-19  variants to the province including travel to Cordillera Administrative Region.
    With the detection of new cases of Covid-19 United Kingdom (UK) variant called B.1.1.7 in the country, Ilocos Sur EO No. 10, series of 2021 stated guidelines for all returning overseas Filipinos (ROFs) coming from countries with reported cases of B.1.1.7 or South African variants called B.1.351 entering the province.
    With the confirmed cases of Covid-19 UK variant in Cordillera, Singson issued EO No. 11 temporarily suspending issuance of travel authority and discouraging the people of Ilocos Sur travelling to any place in the said region to avoid possible exposure to the virus.
    Said EO is applicable to non-authorized person outside of residence (APORs) travelers.
    Singson also issued EO No. 12 temporarily closing the borders of municipality of Cervantes, Ilocos Sur which connects the provinces of Ilocos Sur, Mountain Province, and Benguet to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 UK variant.
    The Commilas north border and Aluling border quarantine checkpoints were temporarily closed to all persons and vehicles effective Jan. 30.
    Upon arrival at the border, ROFs will be allowed to enter the province once they present documentary requirements such as certificate from Bureau of Quarantine they have completed the 14-day quarantine period immediately upon arrival in the country; negative RT-PCR test result; travel authority (unless transported by Overseas Workers Welfare Administration/Dept. of Transportation or any assisting government agency and certificate of acceptance or proof of coordination with the local government unit of residence.
    They are allowed to undergo strict home quarantine as long as they comply with such requirements but they are mandated to undergo RT-PCR test on their fifth day upon arrival in the province.
    If the RT-PCR test yielded positive results, the ROF shall be brought to an isolation facility.
    An ROF who didn’t complete the 14-day quarantine upon arrival in the country shall be brought to an isolation facility of the LGU where he is a resident and complete therein the remaining days of quarantine.
    On the 14th day of quarantine, the ROF shall be subjected to RT-PCR test – if it yielded negative results, the ROF may already be reintegrated to the community, otherwise, he shall be placed in an isolation facility where samples shall be taken for genomic sequencing.
    Other ROFs who have not completed the 14-day quarantine period, shall be brought to the isolation facility of LGU or residence and shall be subjected to 14-day quarantine. -- PIA Ilocos Sur