Some travelers not notified of new ‘standardized’ travel protocol

The IATF’s new “standardized” travel protocol aimed at making domestic flight requirements consistent is effective this Monday.

The change includes removing the COVID-19 test before traveling.

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Passengers are also not required to undergo quarantine unless they have COVID-19 symptoms upon arrival at the destination.

There is no need for a travel authority and health certificate.

But some passengers are confused by the new travel protocols.

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This includes the relatives of Novelito Gan, who was not admitted by Philippine Airlines on their flight to Zamboanga City due to a lack of swab test results.

“Nakakuha na po ako lahat ng papel nila. Ayaw sila isyuhan ng ticket ng PAL dahil wala sila swab test. Eh ang mahal-mahal ng swab, dapat nasa LGU na sana ang swab,” Gan insisted, who was in charge of the relatives’ papers.

Gan based his accumulated requirement on those who have already returned to the province. Unfortunately, they no longer have a budget for the swab test.

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Gan fixed the requirements for almost 2 weeks. He spent P10,000. They also said that they will not be able to recover the promo ticket they bought.

Some travelers not notified of new ‘standardized’ travel protocol

Under the new travel protocol, the COVID-19 test is no longer needed, but the LGU of Zamboanga City said they are mandating it.

According to the LGU, they will discuss what their medical teams will recommend in the policy of removing the COVID-19 test result as a requirement.

The DILG admitted that the public has not been given enough information.

Last week, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said that they would allow local government units to decide whether they would require a COVID-19 test as a requirement for travelers entering their areas.

Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said DOT only recommends uniform requirements among travel destinations.

Puyat added LGUs could also decide whether they would allow the use of the saliva COVID-19 test.

The  department called on local governments to lessen travel requirements such as police clearance and health certificates, Puyat said.

“We really have to restart tourism pero malayo pa talaga. Malayo pa kasi maraming ayaw magbukas na tourist destination, or number 2, marami pa ring nangangamba magtravel,” she said.