Since the start of the vaccination rollout in Lapu-Lapu City, Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan said they have received positive feedback from those who were already vaccinated against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Chan said during the Network Briefing News interview that as of May 3, there are 2,600 healthcare workers and 1,000 senior citizens who have been vaccinated against COVID-19.
The mayor also said many of their constituents have registered online for the vaccination.
“Marami na rin ang nagpalista online para mapabakunahan (Many have already registered online for vaccination) once the vaccines are available,” he added.
He said, “We will campaign aggressively to convince them, those who are still apprehensive, to go out and have themselves vaccinated.”
Meanwhile, with tourism as Lapu-Lapu City’s “bread and butter,” Chan welcomed the move of the national government through the Inter-Agency Task Force allowing the reopening of the country’s borders to certain foreign nationals starting May 1, 2021 as part of easing travel restrictions amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This is a welcome development. We are one of the LGUs (local government units) that actively lobbied for the entry of the foreign nationals provided that they have been fully vaccinated. In fact, I personally wrote the matter to Secretary Harry Roque during the Victory at Mactan (April 27). We have a pending letter to Sec. Roque tungkol dito (regarding this). Makapasok sana ‘yung mga foreign tourists as long as they are fully vaccinated and within 72 hours prior their departure, dapat naka RT-PCR (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) test sila,” the mayor said.
Earlier, the government imposed entry restrictions to certain foreign nationals from March 22 to April 21, 2021 as a precaution against the spread of the COVID-19 infection.
The temporary entry ban was later extended until April 30.
Under the latest resolution, IATF Resolution 113, foreign nationals can enter the country provided that they have valid and existing visa at the time of entry, except for those qualified under the Balikbayan program or the Republic Act 6768.
Inbound foreign passengers must have pre-booked accommodation for at least seven nights in an accredited quarantine hotel/facility.
They must undergo the coronavirus testing at the quarantine hotel/facility on the sixth day from the date of arrival.
The foreigners must also be subject to the maximum capacity of inbound passengers at the port and date of entry.
However, travelers coming from India, may they be of Filipino citizenship or otherwise, are still denied entry until May 14. (idc/PIA7)