Philippine News Agency
Iloilo gov't suspends return of LSIs
The Philippine government has temporarily suspended the travel of locally stranded individuals (LSIs) to address concerns from local government units about the spread of COVID-19.
This suspension is in response to claims by local officials, such as Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez, that the influx of LSIs has caused the spread of the disease in previously COVID-19-free areas.
LSIs will now undergo mandatory reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests before they can be allowed to return to their home provinces.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque stated that the government is working on a plan to administer these PCR tests, noting the availability of one million testing kits.
Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. announced the temporary halt in the return of LSIs to his province, citing the new testing protocol for their safety.
Defensor also mentioned that his Executive Order 128-C, which allowed 1,500 inbound LSIs and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) weekly, would be suspended.
Ormoc, Cebu City, Cebu province, Leyte, Southern Leyte, and Samar have been identified by the Department of Health as emerging COVID-19 hotspots.
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Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana has temporarily suspended the transport of locally stranded individuals (LSIs) to Western Visayas, Cebu Island including Mactan, Eastern Visayas, and Caraga for two weeks starting June 28 due to an increase in COVID-19 cases.
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Malacañang announced a temporary halt on sending Locally Stranded Individuals (LSIs) to five destinations in the southern Philippines due to limited quarantine facility capacity.
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The Joint Task Force COVID Shield has temporarily suspended the issuance of travel authority for Locally Stranded Individuals (LSIs) heading to Eastern Visayas for two weeks.
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The Bicol Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) has requested a one-month suspension on the return of locally-stranded individuals (LSIs) to the region.
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The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will strictly enforce protocols for cargo ships and trucks to prevent the unauthorized return of locally stranded individuals (LSIs) to their home provinces.
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