Another testing center for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) is now in place at the Pagudpud border separating Ilocos Norte and Cagayan provinces.

Led by Vice Governor Cecilia Marcos Araneta, the antigen testing facility which is the third of its kind in the province, was inaugurated on Tuesday to speed up the process of entering the borders of Ilocos Norte.

For anyone to be able to enter the province, the provincial government of Ilocos Norte requires those crossing the border to show a negative test result of antigen or rapid testing within the last 72 hours.

Pegged at PHP1,000 per test, Remigio said the testing facility eases the burden for border crossers as they no longer be required to be escorted to the nearest testing facility if they cannot show the required document on top of other travel documents.

“The antigen testing is preferred in the province as it shows whether you have the virus at the time the test is taken. The result comes out after an hour,” Remigio said.

For his part, town mayor Rafael Benemerito said he is thankful that the provincial government of Ilocos Norte initiated the project to lessen their load at the border.

During the initial test run of the machine, at least four individuals from Cagayan are among the first who availed of the service just after its inauguration.

With the gradual reopening of tourism in the province, local officials expressed optimism that adhering to the minimum public health and safety standards, including the installation of more testing facilities will ease travel restrictions and help people adapt to the new normal. (PNA)