No negative RT-PCR test, no entry in Zamboanga

ALL TRAVELLERS and even individuals who have received their Covid-19 vaccine or those fully vaccinated are required to present their negative RT-PCR test results upon entering Zamboanga City as part of stricter health protocols in combating the spread of the deadly virus.

Mayor Beng Climaco is tested for Covid-19.

Mayor Beng Climaco, head of the local Covid-19 task force, said: “Zamboanga City is strictly implementing the No RT-PCR Test, No Entry Policy for all travellers, including those from Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur.”

She said travellers must have negative Covid-19 test results – whether by Saliva RT-PCR test or nasopharyngeal RT-PCR test.

Climaco earlier issued Executive Order 651-2021 that mandates all inbound passengers, whether APOR (Authorized Persons Outside Residence) or private individuals, regardless of reason or purpose of entry, including transit travellers to present negative RT-PCR test result within 5 days from date of specimen collection, whether swab test or Saliva RT-PCR test, together with their valid identification cards to entry into Zamboanga City.

“These are temporary measures designed to curb the sudden spike in Covid-19 cases in order to promote the health and safety of the general welfare of the citizens,” the mayor said.

Zamboanga City has over 2,000 active Covid-19 cases and now slowly decreasing since the implementation of the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine on May 8 and extended until June 15 following the discovery of the South African variant here.

City Health Officer Dr. Dulce Amor Miravite said residents must at all times wear face masks and face shields while in public places, and frequent washing of hands and physical distancing. “All these health protocols remain effective measures for the prevention of Covid-19 infections. These measures will work no matter what the variant is,” she said.

Miravite said discipline among residents is the key to curb the spread of the respiratory virus. “Our policies are in place, implementation is in place, we have to be disciplined and we really have to follow these minimum health standards,” she said.

Many residents are not only undisciplined, but complacent and continue to ignore the health protocols resulting in Covid-19 infections in the community. (Zamboanga Post, Jasmine Mohammadsali)

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