Fully vaccinated travelers from Bohol can now enter Cebu City ports without the need to show negative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test results, or antigen or PCR saliva tests, according to reports on Oct. 26, 2021.
A directive signed by acting Cebu City mayor Michael Rama, dated Oct. 25, 2021, says that all fully vaccinated persons may enter Cebu City ports by just showing a valid ID, vaccination card and a quick response (QR) code.
Prior to the new directive, all travelers including those from Bohol, need to present negative Covid tests before they can enter the Queen City of the South.
As this developed, city councilor Joel Garganera, the deputy chief implementor of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), stated that the city understands that not all local government units (LGUs) are able to provide vaccine cards with the QR codes.
“So kung walay QR code, we will also accept the vaccine certificate. If na vaccinate gikan sa PBB (Project Balik Buhay), naa may indication nga PBB gikan,” Garganera said.
Rama said that the move of Cebu City government is to provide incentives to fully vaccinated persons and lifting travel restrictions for them is a step towards encouraging folks to get vaccinated.
The directive stipulates that delivery truck drivers who enter and leave Cebu City at least five times a week, need to submit an RT-PCR test once a month.
The Cebu City Government warned that those who will present fake vaccination cards will be prosecuted.
The directive is silent if children who are traveling with adults will need to undergo RT-PCR tests if they enter Cebu City.
As of the moment, parents are being encouraged to have their children tested prior to departure even if the parents are already fully vaccinated, the report says.