Bohol preparing to reopen tourist spots this month

MANILA, Philippines — Bohol is planning to reopen its tourist spots on Nov. 15, but visitors must be prepared to follow travel requirements and health precautions similar to those imposed by other provinces that have reopened tourism, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque announced at a press briefing last week.

Bohol Gov. Arthur Yap said tourists must have a negative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction test result at least 72 hours before arrival in the province.

They would also have to register online with the province to be given a QR (quick response) code in the form of a card that would be used during their stay, he said.

The QR code would be scanned at the airport, the hotel, and all sites that tourists would visit. The QR code card would make it easier to track down people who have been exposed to COVID-19 positive people, he said.

“Technology and innovation are really going to form the backbone of our strategy to combat COVID-19,” he said.

Visitors would have to book their stay in accredited establishments and sign up for tour packages, the governor said.

Do-it-yourself tours are not yet permitted, he added. Bohol, with its ecotourism sites, historic churches and beach resorts, is among the top tourist destinations in the country, but its tourism industry was badly hit by the lockdown imposed by the government to curb the spread of COVID-19.

—Leila B. Salaverria