Boracay now open to NCR Plus tourists, Malay LGU declares

The municipality of Malay in Aklan—home of the world famous white sand beaches of Boracay—has announced that it was now open to visitors from NCR Plus after the government allowed leisure travel in the region and nearby areas.

In a Facebook post, the Malay Tourism Office advised tourists from Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, and Bulacan to check with airline companies for flight availability.

"Other tourists coming from other GCQ/MGCQ areas are always allowed as well.
The same LGU requirements are necessary to comply," the office said.

The government has eased COVID-related restrictions on domestic travel by allowing leisure trips from NCR Plus to areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) and modified GCQ regardless of age.

“On behalf of the DOT, I thank our colleagues in the IATF for this development. Allowing leisure travel for all ages from the NCR Plus Bubble to MGCQ Areas will surely help local tourism back on track towards recovery,” Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said in a separate statement.

According to the Department of Tourism (DOT), minors and seniors are subject to the RT-PCR test-before-travel requirement. It also added that travels to tourist spots must be point-to-point only.

Meanwhile, the interzonal travel regulations set by local governments and those imposed by the Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force will also apply.

The NCR Plus is composed of NCR, Bulacan, Cavite, Rizal, and Laguna.

"We are looking forward to once again see our tourism destinations welcome tourists from the NCR Plus area,” Puyat said.

“Of course, this has to be done with utmost precaution. The DOT shall continue to strengthen its coordination with our LGUs to ensure the strict compliance of health and safety protocols," she added.

Puyat also urged tourists to follow minimum health protocols

“I know our kababayans have been wanting to go out and enjoy during the summertime, but let us practice responsibility to protect ourselves and the communities in your chosen destinations," she said. —NB, GMA News