Cebu to continue swab-upon-arrival policy for OFWs

Cebu province will continue to implement its "swab-upon-arrival" policy for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and Returning Overseas Filipinos (ROFs) at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA).

This decision comes despite a previous announcement that the province would adhere to Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging and Infectious Disease (IATF-EID) guidelines, following President Rodrigo Duterte's directive.

The Provincial Board has expressed its full support for Governor Gwen Garcia's stance on maintaining the local ordinance.

Vice Governor Hilario Davide III stated that the ordinance remains in full force and effect, as it is considered the law of the Province.

He clarified that the only ways to stop the implementation of the ordinance would be for the Provincial Board to repeal it or for a court to declare it invalid.

Under the Cebu policy, OFWs and ROFs are swabbed upon arrival, and if they test negative, they undergo home quarantine with a second swab test on the seventh day.