Palawan gradually accepts tourists

Palawan, another top tourist destination in the country, is gradually accepting domestic tourists amid the COVID-19 pandemic, its governor said Friday.

Governor Jose Alvarez said at a Laging Handa press briefing that minimum health standards are being strictly observed in accepting tourists. Visitors would need to undergo swab testing and wear face masks and face shields.

“Dahan-dahan na pumapasok sa El Nido, in fact ‘yung El Nido effective October 1, nagsimula na po ‘yung pagtanggap nila ng bisita. Ngunit, of course, galing sa Kamaynilaan, hindi pa masyado,” Alvarez said.

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(We are slowly opening El Nido. In fact, El Nido opened to tourists on October 1. But were are limiting visitors from Metro Manila.)

“Sa ibang GCQ areas, ‘yun nire-require natin sila ng RT-PCR tapos pagdating ‘yung simpleng face mask, wash your hands saka distancing. Kung mayroon pang face shield, mas mabuti,” he added.

(In some GCQ areas, we require them to undergo RT-PCR test. Then they would need to wear a face mask, wash their hands, and observe distancing. If they have a face shield, it is better.)

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Palawan gradually accepts tourists

The Department of Tourism earlier said it is pursuing a gradual resumption of the country’s tourism sector. Some tourist spots, such as Boracay Island and Tagaytay, already started to accept visitors.

Meanwhile, the Palawan governor said there are 59 active COVID-19 cases in Palawan since March, adding that most of the cases were mild.

“Medyo mild lang ang COVID siguro dahil naka-distansya tayo sa Metro Manila eh magmula noong Marso, ang total cases natin dito nasa 200 plus lang eh. Eh 207 na ‘yung naka-recover sa amin, mayroon pa kaming total active cases na naiwan na 59, pero kalat-kalat eh,” Alvarez said.

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Meanwhile, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) said dive establishments and resorts in areas under general community quarantine or modified general community quarantine are now allowed to accept recreational divers.

“The DOT shall determine destination localities where interzonal movement for purposes of the same may be permitted, taking into consideration the general preparedness of the area and its impact on the tourism industry, and shall issue the necessary guidelines therefor, which shall include a test-before-travel requirement,” the IATF said.