The local government here has remained firm in its “no swab test, no entry” policy to ensure the protection of residents against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) amid the threat posed by the more transmissible Delta variant.

Dr. Dulce Amor Miravite, city health officer, said Wednesday the implementation of the policy remains in effect since even those who have been inoculated against the disease could still catch the virus.

“Even if you are fully vaccinated, there is still the possibility of getting infected with the other variant,” she said.

This city and the province of Zamboanga del Norte require in-bound travelers to present a negative swab test result before being allowed entry.

The province of Zamboanga del Sur only requires in-bound travelers to present a Safe, Swift, and Smart Passage (S-PASS) while Zamboanga Sibugay requires a medical certificate, travel authority and valid identification card (ID).

Miravite said there is also no established centralized database system to verify whether the holder of a vaccination card is indeed fully vaccinated.

The national Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has earlier approved Resolution No. 124-B allowing vaccination cards as sufficient alternatives to any testing requirements before travel or upon arrival at local government unit (LGU) of destination.

However, the Department of Health (DOH) said LGUs can still require fully vaccinated travelers to present a negative swab test result before entry into their jurisdictions.

Miravite said “as of now”, the city could not yet lift its “no swab, no entry policy”. (PNA)

Photo Credit: zamboangacity.gov.ph