The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) For the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases approved Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte’s request to impose a test-before-travel requirement to all passengers arriving at the Davao International Airport during its 97th meeting.
Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat bared this in her letter to the mayor dated February 3.
Duterte wrote Sec. Puyat on January 22, requesting the assistance of the DOT in negotiating with the IATF for the imposition of mandatory Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) testing for all travelers before they arrive at the DIA.
“We wish to inform you that the IATF has approved your request,” Puyat said.
In its meeting, the IATF-EID approved the request of Mayor Sara to impose a test-before-travel requirement without prejudice to the approval of the uniform/standard guidelines for travel by land, sea, and air.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government will also convene a small group and come up with a recommendation in a week’s time for the approval of the IATF.
Puyat also said, “The DOT is one with the City of Davao in its efforts to curb the spread of the virus. We look forward to working with you as we pursue our goal of a slow but sure recovery of the tourism industry.”
Meanwhile, the city suspended the free RT-PCR testing at the DIA on January 14 and will only resume once the Los Amigos COVID-19 Laboratory goes into full operation.
The free RT-PCR testing was launched at the DIA for arriving passengers who have no RT-PCR negative results, taken within 24 to 72 hours before their scheduled flights, to show upon their exit. A negative RT-PCR test result was then required for a passenger to exit DIA.
Arriving passengers with negative RT-PCR tests are prioritized in exiting the DIA after checking their health declaration forms (HDFs).
Non-Davao City flight passengers may still exit the airport even without the RT-PCR negative test as long as their LGUs will fetch them and they can present other needed documents. Neighboring local government units (LGUs) are urged to pick up their locally stranded individuals (LSIs) at the DIA.
For Davao City residents without negative RT-PCR test results to show, HDFs and other necessary documents will be checked. They must follow the requirements and will be given their health monitoring forms since they need to check-in with their BHERTS (Barangay Health Emergency Response Team). The 14- day home quarantine is mandatory.
Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte earlier said a more stringent check of travel documents and enforcement of her Executive Order (E.O.) No. 63 have been in place at DIA. CIO, Michael Manguhig RPN Dxkt Davao