JORDAN, Guimaras – To stop the increase of COVID-19 cases in the province of Guimaras, the provincial government implemented more strict protocols starting Monday, January 10, 2022.
Last January 7, Governor Samuel Gumarin issued an executive order with the subject: An executive order adopting some proactive measures against the possible surge of COVID-19 in the province.”
The government is alarmed with the latest surge of COVID-19 in foreign countries which experts attributed to the newly discovered variant identified as “Omicron” (B.1.1 529) considered as a variant of concern by health authorities.
There is a need to take preemptive and proactive measures if only to thwart the possible surge of cases in the province once again.
Here are the important guidelines to follow when entering the province:
* Travel regulation. Except in medical emergencies or referrals, only fully vaccinated individuals shall be allowed entry into the Province and only residents who are fully vaccinated may be allowed exit from the Province.
According to Vice Governor John Edward Gando, all individuals from Western Visayas or outside Western Visayas will be covered in this travel regulation.
“Only fully vaccinated individuals are allowed to enter the province. Whether you are from Region 6 or outside the region, you need to follow these rules, except only in emergency cases,” Gando said in a Panay News interview.
For unvaccinated individuals
*A recent negative RT-PCR result shall be required before the individual enters the province, which test must be conducted not later than three (3) days before the date of travel of returning or visiting persons.
* ROFs, LSIs to include returning residents and visiting persons who cannot comply with the above-mentioned requirements, shall be denied entry into the Province unless:
a. They can submit a recent (not more than three days the day the test was conducted) RT-PCR negative result, or
b. They have stayed outside the Province but within Region VI for at least 14 days before his/her entry into the Province.
* Expenses for the RT-PCR and other incidental expenses shall be borne by ROFs, LSIs, returning residents, and visiting persons.
* Leisure travels may be allowed provided that individuals or groups shall have prior or existing bookings and/or reservations with any hospitality establishments in the province.
* All business establishments in the province are allowed to open except entertainment and amusement venues.
* Food establishments and resorts can cater dine-in services for fully vaccinated individuals only provided it would not exceed 50 percent of the venue’s capacity.
* Business establishments may operate from 4 a.m. until 8 p.m. except for pharmacies that may open until 10 p.m.
* Cockfighting and operation of cockpits, lottery and betting shops, and other gambling establishments except those that are authorized by the Inter-Agency Task Force or the Office of the President, are not allowed to operate.
* Sea vessels may operate from 4 a.m. until 7 p.m. while public utility vehicles are allowed to operate from 4 a.m. until 8 p.m. with 50 percent of the maximum passenger capacity.
* Mass and social gatherings that will compromise the minimum health standard are prohibited./PN