A city-wide border control is now in effect here until the end of July as an additional measure to restrict non-essential travels that were cited as behind the high probability of the transmission of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases.

“The implementation of proactive measures such as border restrictions is vital and quintessential due to the detection of Delta variant reported from Pandan, Antique, to slow down the surge in Covid-19 cases, stop further spread of variants, buy time for the health system to cope and to protect more lives,” Mayor Jerry Treñas said in his Executive Order released on Monday.

The order prohibits the travel of persons within Panay Island to the city except for purposes of work, medical needs, accessing government services, transport of goods and/or construction materials, humanitarian purposes, Covid-19 vaccination, returning overseas Filipinos (ROFs) and city residents, authorized persons outside of residence (APORs), and residents of Iloilo and Guimaras provinces.

Those allowed to travel to the city, however, are required to present their valid identification and documents to justify their travel.

Arriving ROF in the city must immediately subject themselves to quarantine either at accredited quarantine hotels or the city’s designated quarantine facilities and undergo the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test on the fourth day.

Meanwhile, leisure travelers coming from Negros Island are prohibited to enter the city but non-APORs may be allowed entry if they comply with the S-PaSS (Safe, Swift, and Smart Passage) System and have a negative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) result two days before travel.

APORs, as defined in the Omnibus Guidelines on the Implementation of Community Quarantine in the Philippines, shall be allowed to enter and exit this highly urbanized city.

The transport of goods and cargo will be unhampered but each cargo shall only be manned by three persons.

Further, from outside Panay and Negros Island, the city will only accept inbound travels for APOR, ROFs, and returning residents for essential purposes.

Treñas has authorized law enforcement agencies to require travelers to produce relevant documents to support their travel.

As of July 19, Iloilo City recorded 1,581 active cases, 10, 813 total recoveries, and 350 deaths. (PNA)