Gov. Arthur Yap signs Executive Order (EO) No. 12, series of 2021 which provides new testing protocol, thereby easing the entry protocol for returning Boholanos.
The EO sets testing and entry protocols for locally stranded individuals (LSI), local residents returning from other places in the country for business or leisure and returning overseas Filipino workers (OFW), and Authorized Persons Outside of Residence (APOR) which include government officials and employees. The new protocol will also apply to non-APOR, referring to visiting investors, businessmen and domestic and international tourists.
The new testing and entry protocol will be implemented starting March 1, 2021. The new EO also lifts the quarantine requirements as a general rule making it as an exception to the general rule, according to a report of Capitol’s Primer.
The move is an offshoot of the marathon consultations initiated by Yap together with Department of Health (DOH)-region 7 experts, Rural Health Officers (RHO), members of the Medical and Health Task Group of the Bohol Inter Agency Task Force (BIATF) and the Bohol mayors, last week.
In a radio interview, Yap disclosed that the idea of easing entry protocol has been initially met with apprehensions by some mayors and their respective Municipal Health Officers (MHO).
The governor believes it is a normal reaction for anybody to be apprehensive especially as no one wants a sudden surge of cases in his/her locality.
Yap said: “I want the returning Boholanos to know that I understand their plight and I will do everything I can to help them come home to Bohol, visit their families without putting the safety of our people in Bohol at risk.”
Yap has been consistent in his position to find the best way to let Boholanos return home at the same time ensuring public health and safety. Back in April, 2020, Yap came up with “Oplan Exodus”. The oplan carried out mechanisms to allow the return of OFWs and LSIs to Bohol. Despite the return of stranded Boholanos and OFWs, the Coronavirus disease (Covid) cases in Bohol remained within manageable levels.
UNDERSTANDING THE PLIGHT
The governor revealed, “I have received message on my Facebook page from Boholanos wanting to come home to Bohol for a short period of time to visit their family or attend family gatherings but barred to do so because of the strict quarantine protocols imposed by their respective [local government units] LGUs.”
He added, “These Boholanos are working outside of Bohol to provide the sustenance of their family in our province. They cannot just resign or take a long leave from work just to be quarantined for 14-days in the quarantine facilities denying them the time that supposed to be spent with their loved ones and opportunity to earn a living.”
The provincial chief executive discussed this predicament of our fellow Boholanos with the mayors on several occasions.
He made numerous requests to consider easing entry protocol so Boholanos from outside Bohol can come home in a way that the safety among residents in the province will not be put at risk.
NEGOTIATOR IN ACTION
Noting that few are in doubt on the proposed easing of entry protocols, Yap immediately scheduled a series of negotiation meetings among health experts in the DOH.
Leading the team of experts is Dr. Jaime Bernadas, the regional director of DOH region 7; Dr. Mary Jean Loreche, chief pathologist of DOH region 7 and Dr. Bryan Lim, an infectious disease specialist.
Questions after questions were thrown to experts, all were satisfactorily answered supported by data, statistics and relevant studies. With the governor’s expert negotiating skills, everyone agreed that the proposed set of protocol which eases the entry of returning residents is practical, valid and science-based.
UNIFYING THE RULES
In a statement he made during the weekly virtual press conference, Yap quipped, “I have given ample time to the mayors over the past few months to impose their respective protocols. Unfortunately, there are LGUs that have imposed 14 days and 21 days of quarantine. That should not be the case. We must have unified rules to follow, that is why I am signing EO No. 12 to unify the rules to be imposed.”
Prior to the signing of the EO, Yap presented its content to the mayors during the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) meeting held at the Henann Resort in Panglao town on Feb. 19, 2021.
Suffice it to say, with the signing of the EO the mayors agreed to the new testing and entry protocol as provided.
NEW ENTRY PROTOCOL
Returning residents, APOR and non-APOR can now come to Bohol sans the tedious 14-day quarantine as long as they have tested negative to any of the following testing methods adopted by the province: reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), rapid antigen test and PCR saliva test.
FOR RT-PCR TEST
An RT-PCR test should be taken at least 72 hours or less prior to a confirmed flight or voyage to Bohol. The test must yield a negative result.
The test must be taken prior to departure to Bohol at the place of origin.
The validity of the RT-PCR test shall be for a period of three (3) days from arrival in Bohol. Should the returning Boholano or visitor wish to stay beyond three (3) days, he/she shall undergo repeat testing which can either be an RT-PCR test or antigen test.
LGUs shall no longer be responsible for the extraction of returning residents, APORs and non-APORs. Returning residents, APORs and non-APORs shall be responsible to arranging their own transport.
However, LGUs shall monitor arriving returning residents, APORs and non-APORs for the purpose of repeat testing should the latter wish to stay beyond three (3) days and/or quarantine if they develop symptoms.
However, if testing is conducted upon arrival, returning residents, APORs and non-APORs, shall be placed under quarantine until release of the negative result. The LGU shall be responsible for the extraction of returning residents, APORs and non-APORs from the airport or port of entry and their transport to the government quarantine facility or accredited private quarantine facility. If the RT-PCR test yields a negative result, the returning residents, APORs and non-APORs shall be released from quarantine.
The validity of the RT-PCR test shall be for a period of five (5) days. Should they wish to extend their stay, they shall be required to undergo another round of testing, either RT-PCR or rapid antigen test.
FOR RAPID ANTIGEN TEST (RAT)
A RAT should be taken at the place of origin, 48 to 24 hours prior to arrival in Bohol. The test must yield a negative result.
Immediately upon arrival, a repeat RAT shall be done and must yield a negative result.
The validity of the RAT shall be for five (5) days. Should they wish to stay beyond five (5) days, they shall undergo another RAT and should yield a negative result.
The returning Boholanos, APOR, and non-APOR are reponsible for their transport. The LGU needs to monitor them for quarantine purposes if symptoms appear.
However, if testing is conducted upon arrival, once test result is negative, the individual is allowed to proceed with his/her activities. The LGU shall be responsible for the extraction of returning residents, APORs and non-APORs from the airport or port of arrival and their transport to the government quarantine facility or accredited private quarantine facility in cases of positive RAT results.
The validity of the RAT is for a period of three (3) days from arrival. If they wish to extend their stay, they shall undergo repeat RAT on the 4th day from arrival here.
FOR PCR SALIVA TEST
Pursuant to EO No. 9, Series of 2021, PCR saliva test shall be honored and recognized in lieu of the RT-PCR and RAT provided that the test shall yield a negative result.
TESTING COST
If a person is a member of Philhealth, no need to worry about the expenses for RT-PCR test. RT-PCR test is covered by Philhealth and can be availed of, for free.
However, if a person is not yet a member of Philhealth, he/she can visit the nearest Philhealth office and fill out the registration form so he/she can generate the Member ID Number. According to Philhealth Bohol chief, Mona Liza De Veyra, individuals listed under National Household Targeting System (NHTS) can register for free.
Only the RT-PCR test is covered by Philhealth. If one opts to undergo a RAT or PCR saliva test, it will be an out-of-pocket expense for the person. The cost of RAT ranges from P800-P1500.
INTEGRATED HEALTH INFORMATION SYSTEM SOLUTION
All tests must be performed by an accredited and licensed Molecular Laboratory. To ensure the authenticity of test results, the Province of Bohol shall adopt an Integrated Health Information System Solution which shall list the accredited laboratories in the country. Tampering with or presentation of falsified and fraudulent test results shall be dealt with criminal charges under the Revised Penal Code and relevant ordinances.
For RAT, the test kits must be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and shall be performed by trained medical personnel and accredited laboratories. These FDA-accredited test kits and the accredited laboratories shall likewise be in the Integrated Health Information System Solution.
QUARANTINE AND ISOLATION:
AN EXCEPTION TO THE GENERAL RULE
Quarantine and isolation shall now be the exception rather than the general rule. Quarantine and isolation shall be reserved for arriving visitors, including residents, OFWs, APORs and non-APORs, who develop symptoms of Covid and/or yielded positive results after undergoing test after arrival.
FOURTEEN (14)-DAY QUARANTINE FOR TRAVELLERS
Effective on March 1, 2021, fourteen (14)-day quarantine at a government quarantine facility or an accredited private quarantine facility shall only be implemented for inbound travelers who develop symptoms anytime during his/her stay in the Province of Bohol and he/she has tested positive for Covid via the RT-PCR.
TEN (10)-DAY QUARANTINE FOR POSITIVE REPEAT RT-PCR, RAPID ANTIGEN AND PCR SALIVA TEST RESULTS
For those who availed of a repeat RT-PCR, RAT or PCR saliva test and yielded positive results, they shall be immediately isolated and quarantined for a period of ten (10) days at a government quarantine facility or an accredited private quarantine facility. If they have no symptoms for three (3) consecutive days, they shall be discharged as clinically recovered. Repeat testing shall not be a requirement for discharge from isolation or quarantine.
YAP: IMPOSE MINIMUM HEALTH STANDARDS ALWAYS
Yap said, “Ang pagluag sa atong mga lagda wala nagpasabot nga pwede natang mokumpyansa. Kinahanglan sundon gihapon nato ang agresibong prebensyon pinaagi sa pagsunod sa minimum health standards.”
Notwithstanding the lifting of the quarantine requirements, all Boholanos are enjoined to observe minimum health standards, including the wearing of face masks and face shields and shall observe physical distancing at all times.