Año backs DOT’s call to remove age restrictions for Boracay tourists

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Thursday expressed support to the call of Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat to remove the age restrictions for tourists who plan to visit Boracay Island next month.

In a message to GMA News Online, Año said age restrictions could be removed for as long as visitors would be subjected to RT-PCR test and which will yield negative results.

"I support Sec. Berna Puyat on her proposal as long as they undergo PCR test and would have negative result prior to travel," Año said.

Earlier, Puyat said the DOT is proposing to the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases that those aged above 60-years-old and those below 20-years-old be allowed to visit the tourist destination.

The gradual reopening of Boracay started in June with Aklan residents allowed to visit the island. It was later opened for residents of the entire Western Visayas.

Boracay will be opened to domestic tourists on October 1.

The local government of Malay, Aklan reminded the public that wearing of face masks is still required while in Boracay.

Drinking liquors in public areas are still banned while water activities would be allowed as long as minimum health standards are observed. — RSJ, GMA News