Guidelines set for travel to Ilocos Sur

By April M. Bravo

VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur – Gov. Ryan Luis Singson issued executive order 22 series of 2021 on March 9 on revised travel protocols for all persons entering Ilocos Sur.
     All who are entering the province are required to present an identification card and to register with the Safe, Swift, and Smart Passage (S-PaSS) Travel Management System developed by the Dept. of Science and Technology at https://s-pass.ph/clients/registration_captcha as the one-stop-shop application or communication for travelers. 
     Government APORs (authorized persons outside of residence) are also required to present an ID issued by their respective government agency and an original or certified true copy of travel authority or order issued by the Department Secretary or his or her designated official.
    Travel order and travel itinerary are additional requirements for non-government APORs.
    Aside from ID and registration to S-PaSS, returning residents or overseas Filipinos should as well coordinate with their local government unit (LGU) of residence for the issuance of a letter of acceptance.
    Returning residents coming from areas identified as high risk and with reported United Kingdom variant, the LGU of destination shall have the authority to determine containment approaches that may be implemented within their jurisdiction.
Passersby and cargo drivers and helpers must also present delivery receipts for cargoes.
Day visitors and tourists should apply for travel coordination permits through the S-PaSS.
     Tourists must have a Dept. of Tourism accredited travel agent booking confirmation and a negative RT-PCR (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) test if coming from areas under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), modified ECQ, and general community quarantine which is issued within 72 hours prior to travel.
    As per Dept. of Health regulations, the saliva test is recognized as an alternative specimen for RT-PCR among all Philippine Red Cross laboratories and shall be permitted as a valid test in the province, provided that the same shall be used 72 hours upon release thereof.
     Minors below three years old shall be exempt from the testing requirement before entry to the province.
    Under the EO, curfew in the province shall be from 12 midnight to 5 a.m. and shall be enforced only to non-workers.
     Lastly, the wake of a deceased person shall be observed with a recommended period of four days from the time the remains of the deceased is first displayed.
     The said period may  be extended by the local chief executives of LGUs under reasonable and justifying circumstances.
    For this purpose, no quarantine requirement shall be imposed to any family member or relative of the deceased coming from other provinces or countries. -- PIA Ilocos Sur