CORTES, Bohol, Nov. 26 (PIA) -- Bohol Gov. Arthur Yap has issued a new executive order relaxing the travel protocols for children bound for Bohol. 

Children 11 years old and below who are traveling to Bohol with their fully vaccinated parents or guardians are now exempted from the Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) coronavirus disease (COVID) swab test effective Nov. 27.

Yap, in consultation with mayors, issued Executive Order No 52-C. 

The new E.O. also considered the drastic decrease in active COVID-19 cases in Bohol in the past two months and the establishment and operationalization of Temporary Treatment and Monitoring Facilities here.

The new order amended Executive Order No. 52 which lifted the negative COVID-19 test results by RT-PCR taken 72 prior to travel to Bohol of fully vaccinated individuals, and instead requiring them to present only the validated and authenticated vaccination certificates.

The governor then issued another executive order amending E.O. 52 with EO 52-A, which temporarily allowed returning travelers to enter Bohol using their duly signed and authenticated vaccination card, along with a government-issued identification card and S-pass, in the absence of a vaccination certificate, until Nov. 30.

For non-Boholanos, the generation of a vaccination certificate and an approved S-pass for fully vaccinated individuals forms as the travel requirement for entry, while a negative for COVID-19 swab test result through RT-PCR  sticks as a travel entry requirement for non-vaccinated travelers to Bohol.

By Oct. 30, the governor issued Executive Order No. 52-B which temporarily allowed the use of vaccination cards in place of vaccination certificates, and streamlined the travel requirements for vaccinated individuals on their way to Bohol.

That same E.O. ruled that incoming fully vaccinated travelers must present their vaccination cards, a government-issued ID Card and an approved or pending S-pass application.

For those who are unvaccinated, the COVID-19 test result done 72 hours prior to travel as well as an approved S-pass shall be required in the ports of entry and as requirement for buying tickets.

Section 5 of the Executive Order also provided that children four years old and below are exempted from the RT-PCR negative test result. 

On Nov. 27, this section is amended and expands the exemption from the presentation of a negative for COVID-19 test result via RT-PCR for four years old and below to 11 years old and below, as long as they travel with fully vaccinated parents or guardians.

The exemption from the RT-PCR requirement does not, however, apply if the minors are traveling with unvaccinated parents or guardians.

In such cases, the negative for COVID-19 test results as validated by RT-PCR would be required for the adults and the exemption can only work as long as the accompanying adult tests negative for the viral disease. (RAHC/PIA7 Bohol)