Caraga sets up border checkpoints to contain spread of Delta variant from Region 10
DAVAO CITY – In a bid to contain the spread of the COVID-19 Delta variant, Region 13 (Caraga region) has established border checkpoints and required travelers from Region 10 (Northern Mindanao) to show some documents to be granted entry to the region.
The Department of Health (DOH) had earlier reported that six of the 16 new Delta variant cases reported came from Region 10 – five from Cagayan de Oro City and one from Gingoog City.
The Regional Task Force for COVID-19 One Caraga Shield approved last July 21 Resolution No. 37, Series of 2021, which restricts the travel movement between Region 10 and Caraga to contain the spread of COVID-19 Delta variant through the establishment of regional border checkpoints.
"The close proximity of said cities to Caraga region pose a significant threat of the COVID-19 Delta variant to the safety and health of Caraganons," the resolution said.
Based on Resolution No. 37, travelers from Region 10, particularly those from Cagayan de Oro City and Gingoog City, will be asked to show any of the following documents: A negative RT-PCR result; a vaccination card; a Safe, Swift, and Smart Passage (S-Pass); Stay Safe Pass; company identification card and travel authority for Authorized Persons Outside Residence (APOR) and frontline medical personnel; Mayor's Permit or delivery documents for goods delivery; and identification card with address information for those from Magsaysay, Misamis Oriental.
The documents will be checked upon the traveler's arrival at the regional border checkpoint in Tagcatong and Vinapor in Carmen, Agusan del Norte.
As of July 24, the Department of Health Center (DOH) for Health Development in Caraga has recorded 70 new confirmed cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of cases recorded in the region to 24,471 with a total of 22,449 recoveries and 765 deaths. The DOH Caraga said 1,257 are still in isolation.