Heads Up! Cebu Airports Require Swab Test Results Once Again

After months of being under more relaxed quarantine status, Cebu Province faces a slight surge in COVID-19 cases, which puts the quarantine status under the general community quarantine (GCQ) with heightened restrictions. Although most of the Cebuanos comply with the health protocols imposed by the province, the Queen City of the South has to limit the community mobilization again.

Currently, 11 local government units (LGUs) were placed under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) for two weeks because of the reported high numbers of daily positive COVID-19 cases. Affected LGUs with increased rates of positive cases are Argao and Oslob, Consolacion, Cordova, Liloan, Minglanilla, Sibonga, Samboan, and Talisay, Naga, and Carcar. [1]

Thus, Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia mandated all domestic passengers to present their negative swab test result once again upon arriving at Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) to prevent the spread of the deadly virus in the province. [2]

This order took effect on August 18 and aims to regulate or control all individuals entering Cebu province for essential or leisure purposes through all airports. All passengers should show a negative RT-PCR test result valid within 72 hours or antigen test result valid within 48 hours.

Meanwhile, drivers and crews of trucks carrying essential goods, delivery vans, or other similar vehicles required to enter the Province of Cebu are not exempted from the regulation. RT-PCR test results or rapid antigen test results should also be presented to the authority. Lastly, when a person is in transit and the result lapses, frontliners at the airport’s arrival area can take an antigen test at the passenger’s expense.

Visit Yoorekka Consumer Magazine for more travel and COVID-19 updates and guidelines in Cebul!