ZAMBOANGA CITY – Zamboanga del Sur Governor Victor Yu issued Executive Order 2021-28 imposing the “no swab or antigen test, no entry policy” to curb the rising cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the province.
The EO, dated September 8, takes effect, without exemption, from September 12 to 30.
Based on the EO, a real-time reverse transcription - polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), known as swab test, or an antigen test must have been taken within 72 hours of travel.
Yu said the EO is in line with Resolution 136-F of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases that placed the province of Zamboanga del Sur under General Community Quarantine (GCQ) with heightened restrictions from September 8 to 30.
Department of Health (DOH) data showed that Zamboanga del Sur has 2,011 active cases as of September 6, the highest compared to other areas in the region.
The DOH data showed that the province has 8,374 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 6,113 recoveries, 2,011 active cases, and 250 deaths.
Yu said the 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. curfew in the 26 municipalities and 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. curfew in Pagadian City, the capital of the province, and the liquor ban will remain in effect.
However, workers, cargo vehicles, public transportation, and other essential establishments are not covered by the imposition of the curfew.
Yu, who contracted COVID-19 on August 31, is discharging his duties as governor while completing his required quarantine period at the Zamboanga del Sur Medical Center (ZDSMC), although he has recovered.