FOR FULLY VAXXED TOURISTS

Swab test no longer required in Boracay starting Nov. 16 —Aklan gov

Starting next week, RT-PCR test will no longer be required for tourists visiting Boracay island as long as they are already fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to Aklan Governor Florencio Miraflores on Friday.

"I'm happy to report na by November 16, next week, tatanggalin na namin yung requirement ng RT-PCR test sa mga lahat na pumupunta ng Boracay," Miraflores said in a radio interview.

(I'm happy to report that by November 16, next week, we will no longer require RT-PCR test for those going to Boracay.)

Tourists, however, will have to present their vaccination certificate secured from the Department of  Information and Communications Technology (DICT) website.

Vaccination cards from local government units will also be accepted as long as they have QR code, Miraflores said.

"In the absence ng dalawang iyan, puwede rin silang kumuha ng vaccination certificate sa issuing LGU para makita namin kung saan talaga sila nagpabakuna," he added.

(Tourists can also secure vaccination certificate from issuing LGUs so that we'll know where they got vaccinated.)

In  a separate interview on Super Radyo dzBB, Miraflores said minors are allowed as long as they are accompanied by their parents.

Though curfew on the island has been eased from 12 midnight to 4 a.m., the governor said large parties are not allowed. All tourists, he said, are required to observe health and safety protocols.

Miraflores said Boracay, a popular destination of local and foreign tourists because of its beaches, has already reached herd immunity for its general population.

"Sa lahat ng tourism workers namin, 94% na ang fully vaccinated. Sa ating general population, 94% na ang may first first dose at ang may second dose is 70%," he said.

"So nakuha na namin ang herd immunity ng general population ng isla ng Boracay, sa tatlong barangay ng Boracay," Miraflores added.

(Our tourism workers are already 94% fully vaccinated. For our general population, 94% has already received their first dose while 70% have completed their vaccination. So Boracay has already reached herd immunity for general population.)

Miraflores said vaccination is still ongoing on the island to reach 100%. —KBK, GMA News