Palawan slowly accepting tourists, governor says

Palawan is starting to accept domestic tourists amid the COVID-19 pandemic, its governor said on Friday.

At a Laging Handa press briefing, Governor Jose Alvarez said minimum health standards are being strictly observed in accepting tourists, and they are being subjected to swab testing, required to wear face masks and face shields.

"Dahan-dahan na pumapasok sa El Nido, in fact 'yung El Nido effective October 1, nagsimula na po 'yung pagtanggap nila ng bisita. Ngunit, of course, galing sa Kamaynilaan, hindi pa masyado," Alvarez said.

"Sa ibang GCQ areas, 'yun nire-require natin sila ng RT-PCR tapos pagdating 'yung simpleng face mask, wash your hands saka distancing. Kung mayroon pang face shield, mas mabuti," he added.

Earlier, the Department of Tourism said it is pursuing a gradual resumption of tourism enterprises in the country. Some tourist spots, such as Boracay Island, already started to accept visitors.

Meanwhile, Alvarez said at present, there are 59 active COVID-19 cases in Palawan, since March, adding that most of the cases were mild.

"Medyo mild lang ang COVID siguro dahil naka-distansya tayo sa Metro Manila eh magmula noong Marso, ang total cases natin dito nasa 200 plus lang eh. Eh 207 na 'yung naka-recover sa amin, mayroon pa kaming total active cases na naiwan na 59, pero kalat-kalat eh," Alvarez said.  —LBG, GMA News