Department of Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo–Puyat said Thursday she would appeal to the inter-agency task force to remove the age restrictions for tourists visiting Boracay.
The tourism department earlier announced the Boracay Island would open for tourists nationwide, including Metro Manila, which is still under the general community quarantine or GCQ. Under the GCQ, those above 60 and below 20 are also prohibited from leaving their homes.
“Hihingin din namin sa IATF na wala nang age restriction, kahit na iyong above 60 at below 20 ay papayagan na rin kasi diba ang mga Pilipino nagta-travel iyan as a family,” Romulo-Puyat told TeleRadyo.
(We will ask the IATF to remove the age restriction, to allow those aged above 60 and below 20 to travel because Filipinos travel as a family.)
“Aside from puwede ang mga taga-GCQ lumipad na sa Boracay, hihingin namin na alisin ang age restriction,” she said.
(We will also request that: aside from letting those from GCQ areas fly to Boracay, we will also ask for the age restriction to be removed.)
Boracay tourists would need to present a negative PCR coronavirus test result 48 to 72 hours before their trip. They also need to register online with any of the authorized resorts and establishments the DOT has certified, Romulo-Puyat said.
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Tourism chief appeals to lift age restrictions for Boracay tourists
All tourists should also wear face masks “all the time” and observe physical distancing.
“Tuloy. Hopefully tingin ko naman 99.9 percent [magbubukas],” the DOT chief said.
(It’s a go. Hopefully I think it has a 99.9 percent chance of opening.)
Last June 16, Boracay Island reopened but only for visitors from Western Visayas.
Meanwhile, the Department of Tourism also said it is currently checking the preparedness of tourist destinations for reopening amid the pandemic.
“Unti-unti nating binubuksan ang ating tourist destinations. Ang instruction ni Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat is to make a slow but sure reopening of tourism activities,” Undersecretary Benito Bengzon Jr. said.
(We are gradually opening our tourist destinations. Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat’s instruction is to make a slow but sure reopening of tourism activities.)
Aside from Boracay, Tagaytay and Baguio City also reopened for tourists from nearby provinces only.