VIGAN CITY, Feb 2 (PIA) - - With the detection of new cases of the COVID-19 United Kingdom (UK) variant called B.1.1.7 in the country, Ilocos Sur Governor Ryan Luis V. Singson issued three Executive Orders (EO) on January 30 providing restrictions to prevent the entry of said variant and/or other COVID-19 variants to the province and to ensure the health and safety of all Ilocos Surians.
EO No. 10, series of 2021 states guidelines for all Returning Overseas Filipinos (ROFs) coming from countries/areas with reported cases of B.1.1.7 and/or South African variants called B.1.351 entering the province.
Upon arrival at the border, ROFs shall be allowed to enter the province once they present documentary requirements such as certificate from Bureau of Quarantine that 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/Department of Transportation or any assisting government agency); and certificate of acceptance or proof of coordination with the local government unit (LGU) of residence.
They are allowed to undergo strict home quarantine so long that they have met 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.
Moreover, even if an ROF has met all requirements, if he travelled along with other ROFs who have not completed the 14-day quarantine period, he shall be brought to the isolation facility of LGU of residence and shall be subjected to 14-day quarantine.
With the confirmed cases of COVID-19 UK variant in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Governor Singson issued EO No. 11 temporarily suspending the 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.
In addition, Governor Singson 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 are temporarily closed to all persons and vehicles effective January 30.
Governor Singson stated that these EOs are in addition to various interventions, measures, and guidelines implemented by the provincial government to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the province.
He likewise reiterated to the public their strict compliance to minimum health standards such as wearing face masks at all times and observing physical distancing whenever outside of residence (JCR/JMCQ, PIA Ilocos Sur).
Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)
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