The province of Bohol is set to impose a 19-day travel ban on inbound and outbound travelers to prevent the entry of the Covid-19 Delta variant.

Bohol Gov. Arthur Yap led the finalization of guidelines in a meeting with the Provincial Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF), Monday, August 2.

Anthony Damalerio, provincial disaster risk reduction and management officer, said they were only waiting for the Regional IATF’s clearance for the travel ban to be finalized.

Damalerio said the travel ban would start on Aug. 6 and last until Aug. 20, simultaneous with the reimposition of enhanced community quarantine in the National Capital Region due to the increase of Covid infections attributed to the Delta variant.

The sea travel ban will affect some 800 daily passengers mostly coming from the neighboring province of Cebu, which has reported some Delta variant cases. Only cargo vessels will be allowed to set sail to and from Bohol which remains under a modified general community quarantine.

Only returning overseas Filipinos and overseas Filipino workers are exempted from the travel ban in Bohol, he said.

Damalerio said authorized persons outside of their residences, upon arrival in Bohol, will be required to undergo a five-day quarantine. – Ryan Sorote