Boracay accepts saliva test for tourists

The Boracay local government has decided to use saliva RT-PCR as a requirement for tourists entering the island.

The Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force approved the saliva test, which should be conducted by the Philippine Red Cross and other accredited test laboratories.

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According to the Department of Tourism, they are also ready to fund RT-PCR devices or gene expert machines if the local government of Malay, Aklan so desires.

“The Department of Tourism (DOT) welcomes the approval of the saliva RT-PCR test as an alternative to the nasopharyngeal swab RT-PCR as one of the entry requirements to the island,” said DOT in a statement.

At the same time, the Tourism department also recommended to the IATF that those aged 15 and under and 65 and above from Metro Manila be allowed to enter Boracay as long as the passenger has a valid plane ticket.

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“The Department likewise has recommended to the IATF that persons below 15 and above 65 years old traveling from Manila to Boracay should not be restricted from going to the airport and flying since Boracay is under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ), as long as the passenger has a valid plane ticket,” they said.

The DOT once again reminded tourists and stakeholders to strictly follow minimum health and safety protocols such as wearing a facemask, face shield, physical distancing.

Boracay accepts saliva test for tourists

According to them, you should only book with accredited establishments for their protection.

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The DOT also appealed to local governments and other government agencies for strict monitoring and implementation of existing government protocols.

Boracay is one of the tourist spots that are open during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, with the aim of reviving the economy affected by the recent lockdown restrictions.

In January, the Department of Health has approved the  saliva test being promoted by the Philippine Red Cross (PRC).

The DOH also instructed the PRC to regularly submit a report to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine to further study the concordance rate or accuracy rate of the saliva test in the .

The PRC boasted its 98.11 percent concordance rate.