TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Oct 22 (PIA) -- Starting Oct. 25, fully vaccinated incoming travelers to Bohol only need to show their validated and authenticated vaccination certificates to gain entry to the island.

This as Gov. Arthur Yap ordered the lifting of the requirement on showing negative for COVID-19 in laboratory test results taken 72 hours before traveling to Bohol.

Signed Oct. 22, the E.O. 52, although favorable for fully vaccinated individuals with at least 14 days after the final vaccine dose, still ensures that incoming travelers are not coming in with fake documents.

Requiring the digital copy of the vaccine certificate generated from vaxcert.doh.gov.ph, and duly validated and authenticated by the Department of Health (DOH)-Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ), is a must for entry to Bohol starting Oct. 25.

The new E.O. amends E.O. No. 17 series of 2021 which directs individuals coming to Bohol to present a negative RT-PCR test result administered 72 hours before departure from place of origin.

The new E.O. is also in line with the Inter Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases Resolution (IATF EID) No. 124-B series of 2021 which declares as sufficient the domestic vaccination cards duly issued by a legitimate vaccinating establishment, or the certificate of completion of quarantine showing the presenter’s vaccination status as may be issued by BOQ.

The two vaccination documents have been accepted as alternatives to any testing requirement needed by local government units of travel destination.

The decision to lift the RT-PCR requirement, according to the governor, is based on the recommendation of the Bohol IATF EID, Department of Interior and Local Government, as well as the mayors who attended the meeting.

The E.O., however, is only for fully vaccinated persons with more than or equal to 2 weeks of downtime after getting the second dose in a two-dose vaccine series or two weeks after the first dose if a single-dose vaccine.

This is also provided that the vaccine administered by the incoming traveler is among the listed vaccines approved for Emergency Use Authority, Compassionate Special Permit as issued by the Philippines Food and Drugs Administration or that which is in the World Health Organization’s Emergency Use list.

For arriving international travelers, such as returning Filipinos from overseas and foreign nationals, the provisions of IATF Resolution 143, series of 2021 would be applied. 

This means that from their place of origin, returning overseas Filipino workers, overseas Filipinos, and foreign nationals must secure a negative RT-PCR administered 72 hours before leaving their countries of origin.

Upon their arrival in Bohol, they need not undergo a facility-based quarantine, but they are enjoined to self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 until their 14th day in Bohol or arrival in the country.

For locals who could not present a negative RT-PCR test upon arrival, they will immediately proceed to a facility-based quarantine where they will be swab-tested and remain on quarantine until they can obtain a negative for COVID-19 test result.

For unvaccinated and partially vaccinated individuals, a valid RT-PCR test taken 72 hours prior to departure from Bohol is still required. 

Perrsonnel from the DOH BOQ will check the documents at the airport, while personnel from the Philippine Coast Guard will validate the required documents at the seaports. (RAHC/PIA7 Bohol)