By Prexx Marnie Kate Trozo/PNA
Passengers arriving at the Davao International Airport will still be required to present negative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test results despite being fully vaccinated.
“Initially, the IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force) said that vaccination cards will be used and then after two days I think they said that they will leave it to the local government units (LGUs). So we are still requiring RT-PCR testing,” Mayor Sara Z. Duterte announced on Monday.
The Department of Health (DOH) clarified last week that LGUs can still require fully-vaccinated travelers a negative swab test result as a requirement for entry into their jurisdictions.
Also last week, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) approved IATF Resolution No. 124-B allowing vaccination cards as sufficient alternatives to any testing requirements before travel or upon arrival at LGU of destination.
“Even if an individual is fully vaccinated, it is still not a guarantee that they are free from COVID-19. It is still possible for an individual to be a carrier of the virus,” Mayor Sara noted.
Meanwhile, the city continues to enforce the Test before Travel Ordinance which under the said law, passengers cannot leave the airport without showing a negative RT-PCR test result.
The mayor said that through the said policy, entry of various variants of COVID-19 into the city will be prevented. -rir
