IATF OKs re-opening of Boracay to visitors from GCQ areas

The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases has approved the reopening of Boracay to tourists, Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat announced Thursday.

“Actually, na-approve na ngayon. Kaka-approve lang ng IATF ngayon kaya masayang masaya kami,” Puyat said in an interview on Dobol B sa News TV, adding that the Caticlan airport will once again be opened to tourists.

“So we were closely meeting with the LGUs and all the private sector para to make sure that all health and safety protocols will be in place. Masaya kami na approve na siya,” she added.

The secretary said that there are no age restriction for visitors.

Puyat also assured that certain protocols have been placed in the area, saying only establishments with certificates of authority to operate from the Department of Tourism (DOT) may open for business.

“We have been issuing that since June. Libre naman itong accreditation na ito to make sure that health and safety protocols are in place,” she said.

All accredited establishments have been provided with a digital application for cashless and online payment, according to the secretary.

“So ang mangyayari, bago sila pumunta ng Boracay… dapat naka-book lang sila sa may certificate of authority to operate. Pagka-book syempre, book na ng airline,” Puyat said.

Puyat said tourists must first test negative for an RT-PCR test for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) before leaving for Boracay.

“Pero ang hinihiling din namin na pagka-swab mag stay muna at home.  Kasi syempre you are only negative once you take the test. Para sure tayo when you leave for Boracay, you take the plane, negative kayo lahat, and you arrive in Boracay negative kayo,” Puyat said.

“Alam mo kasi Boracay is zero COVID, so ang hinihiling din namin… sa lahat ng turista na pupunta, please be a responsible tourist. Kasi zero and COVID sa Boracay. Wag tayong magpabaya. Let’s maintain na ang Boracay zero COVID,” she later added.

The secretary said the DOT may require hotels to monitor the activities of tourists due to the pandemic.

“For example yung kanilang guest will tell them kung saan sila everday, parang itinerary, yung para may ano. alam natin na hindi pagalaga. kasi we have to check muna kasi First of all, may COVID pa naman,” she said.

Puyat expressed hope that more tourist destinations will reopen in time.

“So hopefully unti-unti na tayo. One tourism destination at a time... Unti-unti. At least nag sisimula na tayong mag restart ng tourism,” Puyat said. -Joahna Lei Casilao/MDM, GMA News