The recent increase in the number of coronavirus cases in Catanduanes has prompted the provincial government to impose an additional requirement on Authorized Persons Outside Residence (APORs) traveling to the island.
In Executive Order No. 003, series of 2021, issued last Monday, Feb. 15, 2021, upon reassuming his post following his COVID-19 exposure, Governor Joseph C. Cua noted that the cases in Catanduanes have recently increased due to a multitude of factors, including APORs who have been entering the province freely without undergoing 14-day quarantine.
“There is an existing need to impose additional requirements to trace the movements of APORs to further mitigate the spread of COVID-19,” he stated.
Under the EO, all APORs will be required to secure Letters of Coordination (LOC) from the Office of the Governor at least three (3) days before entering the province, in addition to the previous requirements of a valid medical certificate and travel order.
The said letter shall certify that the APOR has informed the Office of the Governor of their travel and coordinated with it regarding the nature of their travel and the places they are to visit within the province.
As provided in the EO, the LoC will be valid only for the specific travel dates requested by the APOR, who shall request the issuance of a new LoC for their next travel to the province.
The LoCs, it said, can be requested by personal proxy at said office or through email via governorsoffice_jccua@yahoo.com.
It added that any APOR without an LOC will be denied entry to the province.
The EO takes effect this Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021.