The government has allowed NCR Plus residents to tour areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) and modified GCQ areas for all ages from June 1 to 15 but with conditions.
At a press briefing on Tuesday, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said travelers for local tourism must test negative for the COVID-19 and must abide by the local government policies they are going to.
Roque added that such a trip should be “point-to-point.”
NCR Plus covers Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Rizal and Laguna.
Roque added that outdoor non-contact sports, 30% operating capacity for venue meetings or conferences, 40% operating capacity for personal care services, and 30% outdoor tourist attractions are also allowed in areas in GCQ with heightened restrictions, including the Metro Manila.
Before that, the government initially only allowed “staycations” and point-to-point air travel in the NCR Plus area.
Earlier, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said they asked The Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) to accept their recommendation to allow tourists to travel outside NCR Plus as long as they are virus negative because COVID-19 cases are already low in the area.
Puyat said such a move would help local tourism.
Earlier, the IATF also allowed resorts in GCQ areas to operate at 30% capacity starting June 1
Leisurely travel to GCQ, MGCQ areas allowed with conditions
Meanwhile, those in the NCR Plus area under general community quarantine (GCQ) can now travel to Baguio City and Boracay as long as they follow the health protocols of local governments.
In a report by Ian Cruz on GMA News “24 Oras” on Tuesday, the tourists’ trip should be “point to point.”
Only in “emergencies” will trips be allowed to stop or when food is needed.
Travelers must also have a negative RT/PCR test before heading to their destination.
According to Tourism Secretary Bernadette Puyat, the government’s pandemic task force agreed to Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong’s request regarding the reception of tourists.
However, the Benguet local government has not yet notified if they will accept tourists because they are still under modified enhanced community quarantine status.
Meanwhile, the local government of Malay, Aklan, also announced that they would be accepting tourists from GCQ areas such as NCR Plus until June 15.
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