Gov. Arthur Yap signs Executive Order (EO) No. 17 further loosening the entry protocol for returning residents, authorized persons outside residence (APOR), tourists, government officials and business persons.
Dr. Cesar Tomas Lopez, spokesperson of the Bohol Inter Agency Task Force (BIATF) confirmed the signing of the EO in a radio interview over Open Forum hosted by Ardy Araneta-Batoy and Dave Albarado on Thursday, Mar. 4, 2021.
The spokesman said the EO was signed by the governor on Wednesday evening, Mar. 3, 2021.
Lopez explained that persons who wish to enter Bohol need only to get a local government unit (LGU) acceptance and a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test result taken no earlier than 72 hours prior to arrival in Bohol, in order to be allowed entry into the province.
Persons with negative PCR results and acceptance letters are allowed to go anywhere and everywhere in Bohol upon arrival and there is no need for repeat tests.
He added that all other entry documents, such as the medical certificate or the Philippine National Police Covid shield document are no longer needed.
In the same interview, Lopez said the LGU acceptance is needed to give local health authorities a heads up status about the returning resident, APOR, tourist or any visitor for that matter for contact tracing purposes.
Persons arriving in Bohol have the option of taking the PCR test upon arrival but they need to stay in a quarantine facility while waiting for the test results. Once the results are released they are able to freely move around the province.
In the event of a positive PCR result following testing upon arrival, the person shall be placed in isolation for 10 days. If symptomatic, the person needs to stay for 7 days more, Lopez bared.
A returning Boholano, APOR, or visitor who tested positive and remain asymptomatic after 10 days of isolation shall be discharged.
Lopez said the Barangay Health Emergency Response team will be constantly monitoring the new arrival for 10 to 14 days.
Moreover, Lopez revealed that the new EO is crafted to align with the national IATF resolution no. 101 dated Feb. 26, 2021.