ZAMBOANGA CITY – The City government here has allowed its residents to present saliva-based reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test as an alternative to the conventional method, as a requirement for interzonal and intrazonal travels.
In Executive No. 649-2021 issued last week, Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar allowed the use saliva test result but only from licensed and tuhorized laboratories and certified by the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine.
Salazar’s order took effect immediately and shall remain in force for the duration of the Covid-19 crisis unless otherwise lifted, amended, or superseded.
In the same EO, Salazar reiterated her appeal to residents to obey the Covid-19 protocols to prevent the possibility of lockdowns.
In a statement issue last Saturday, April 10, Salazar emphasized “We need to prevent hospitals from being overwhelmed or operate in full capacity like in the National Capital Region and prevent medical front-liners affected by Covid-19.”
“Avoid unnecessary travel and social gathering, drinking and eating in public. Wear mask and face shield and frequently sanitize hands,” she added.
The local Covid-19 tracker showed the city still has 283 active cases, 4,093 recoveries out of 4,573 confirmed infections, and 197 deaths as of April 8.
