The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has approved Mayor Sara Z. Duterte’s request to impose a “test-before-travel” requirement to all passengers arriving at the Davao International Airport (DIA).

In a statement Friday, the city government said the IATF-EID’s decision was relayed by Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat on Wednesday.

“We wish to inform you that the IATF has approved your request. The DOT is one with the city of Davao in its efforts to curb the spread of the virus. We look forward to working with you as we pursue our goal of a slow but sure recovery of the tourism industry,” Puyat said in the letter.

Mayor Sara sought DOT’s assistance late last month for the IATF-EID’s approval of the mandatory real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing for all travelers before they arrive at the DIA.

According to Puyat, the IATF-EID approved the request “without prejudice to the approval of the uniform/standard guidelines for travel by land, sea, and air”.

The standard guidelines, she said, is due for release in a week after the IATF-EID’s approval.

The city suspended the free RT-PCR testing at the DIA on January 14, set to resume once the Los Amigos coronavirus disease (Covid-19) laboratory goes into full operation.

Currently, arriving passengers with negative RT-PCR tests are prioritized in exiting the DIA after checking their health declaration forms (HDFs).

Non-Davao City flight passengers may still exit the airport even without the RT-PCR negative test as long as their LGUs would fetch them and they can present other needed documents.

For Davao City residents without negative RT-PCR test results to show, HDFs and other necessary documents would be required. They must also follow the requirements and be given their health monitoring forms since they need to check-in with their BHERTS (Barangay Health Emergency Response Team) and observe the mandatory 14- day home quarantine.

In a previous radio interview, Mayor Sara emphasized the need for a more stringent check of travel documents and enforcement of local health guidelines relative to the Covid-19 pandemic. (PNA)