DTI allows travel agencies, tour operators to resume ops under GCQ, MGCQ

The government has further allowed the economy to reopen after it allowed tourism and travel-related activities to resume  under relaxed quarantine classifications.

The DTI issued, on October 14, Memorandum Circular No. 20-53 prescribing the recategorization of travel agencies, tour operators, reservation service, and related activities from Category IV to Category III.

This means the said establishments are “allowed to reopen at 50% operational capacity for areas placed under GCQ (general community quarantine) and 100% capacity for areas under modified GCQ, subject to minimum public health standards and protocols.”

The latest DTI issuance came days after the Department of Tourism (DOT) cleared several hotels for “staycation” as it eyes more for bookings amid the pandemic.

Last month, the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) gave its approval to “staycations” in areas under GCQ. 

The DOT said a negative COVID-19 antigen test will still be required prior to check-in even after a pilot run in Baguio City found that such tests do not meet the standards of the Department of Health.

Early this month, the DTI released a circular on increasing the operational capacity of certain business establishments to as much as 100% under GCQ.  —KBK, GMA News