Tourism Sec. Puyat skips Boracay trip after exposure to COVID-19 case

Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat postponed her trip to Boracay on Wednesday after getting exposed to a COVID-positive person, according to Ian Cruz's report on Super Radyo dzBB, citing assistant secretary Roberto Alabado III.

Puyat, the report said, is currently undergoing quarantine.

Alabado was quoted as saying that Puyat tested negative in the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) on Monday but was still advised to undergo quarantine.

No details were disclosed regarding how Puyat was exposed to the patient.

Puyat was supposed to visit Boracay ahead of its October 1 reopening to personally assess the preparations of the local establishments there.

The government decided to reopen Boracay as part of efforts to boost domestic tourism amid the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the setup, tourists from general community quarantine and modified general community quarantine are allowed to enter Boracay.

The decision was formalized in Resolution No. 74 of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases, which has relaxed age restrictions for travel to Boracay while continuing to strictly enforce entry restrictions for persons with comorbidities.

Travelers to Boracay must present a COVID-negative result from an RT-PCR test taken "not earlier than 48 hours prior to the date of travel."

For proper screening, Caticlan Airport will be the sole port of entry for tourists arriving by airplane.

Health protocols such as wearing of masks and physical distancing will be strictly enforced throughout the island.

The gradual reopening of Boracay already started in June initially for Aklan residents only, then eventually for the residents of the entire Western Visayas. —Ma. Angelica Garcia/KBK, GMA News