TF Davao tightens anti-Covid protocol at Davao checkpoints

The Task Force (TF) Davao has tightened anti-Covid measures in all entry and exit points of Davao City, reminding Davao-bound air passengers travelling via other airports and ports in Mindanao to ensure they have the required negative RT-PCR (Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction) test results.

TF Davao Commander Col. Consolito Yecla said it will be difficult for passengers to skip over health protocols at the checkpoints which are on alert for air passengers traveling via other airports and ports.

Recently, the Davao City government has required all land, sea, and air passengers travelling through other Mindanao ports and airports to present their negative RT-PCR test results taken 24-72 hours of their departure from any airport of origin.

Yecla said that the Task Force has established a system to identify land travelers from other airports in Mindanao.

“If they can show negative RT-PCR test results within 72 hours, we let them pass. But if they do not have one, we hold them at the checkpoint until their RT-PCR test is scheduled,” he said.

On Thursday, TF Davao stopped 16 air passengers who travelled via Laguindingan Airport in Cagayan de Oro City and 18 individuals by land, from entering and proceeding to their destination for their failure to present a negative RT-PCR test result.

All those held at the checkpoint have to wait inside their vehicles or in tents set up by TF Davao as holding area while waiting for their turn to be escorted by TF Davao to the laboratory where they can be swabbed. While waiting for the result, they will be held in a holding facility for 24 hours or until their results are out.

According to Yecla, TFD is expecting Davao-bound travellers to reroute their itinerary to other Mindanao airports due to the strict requirement at the Francisco Bangoy International Airport.

He urged Davao-bound passengers to just follow the protocols and view the requirement as a means to help protect themselves and other people.

“Instead of seeing the requirement as a hassle, they should treat it as their moral obligation as responsible citizens of the city and also for the protection of their loved ones to whom they would go home to,” Yecla said. (City Information Office)