UNVACCINATED or partially-vaccinated foreign travelers may enter Cebu starting March 1.
Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia has issued Executive Order 3, Series of 2022, allowing foreign travelers – unvaxxed or partially vaccinated – in Cebu come March 1 provided they follow certain conditions.
The order states that the traveler should present a negative RT-PCR test taken within 48 hours prior to the departure from their country of origin; must undergo an RT-PCR swab test upon arrival in Cebu; and be isolated in a quarantine facility until the release of the result of their second RT-PCR taken on their fifth day of isolation
Dr. Jean Loreche of the Visayas Vaccination Operations Center told TeleRadyo that the decision to allow unvaccinated foreign travelers to Cebu was reached upon to help revive Cebu Island’s tourism industry.
“ I believe that the province believes na mas marami naman talaga ang fully-vaccinated kaysa ‘yung mga walang bakuna. But then, not to restrict them from entering and enjoying what one Cebu Island can offer them,” Loreche said.
“Nung ito ay ginawa, ang EO ni Governor Gwen, with consultation for all the various stakeholders, kasama dito ang ating different government agencies at ang private sector. At nalaman din naman natin na naghihingalo talaga ‘yung ating tourism industry kasama ang ating mga hotel, kasama ‘yung ating mga tour operator, mga resort,” Loreche further said.
She added that under Garcia’s resolution, single dose Janssen COVID-19 vaccine shall be made available by the Department of Health for unvaccinated foreign travelers.
“And of course hindi din natin dapat kalimutan, there has to be a strict observance to the minimum public health standards. At iniligay din naman natin d’yan ‘yung ating protocols in case they do develop symptoms what to do, how to go about it,” Loreche told the radio interview.
