After Duterte arrest orders, DOT warns tourists vs faking swab tests

TOURISTS WELCOME Boracay Island welcomes more tourists from Metro Manila and other provinces as the government gradually eases travel restrictions. But Malay town, where the resort
island belongs, is among the areas in Aklan province that have been classified under high risk due to a spike in COVID-19 cases. —JACK JARILLA

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Tourism (DOT) issued Wednesday a stern warning against tourists faking their COVID-19 swab tests following President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to effect arrests in order to enforce strict compliance on health protocols on local tourism.

The DOT issued the warning in light of fresh reports of tourists faking their swab test results and holding unauthorized gatherings in tourist destinations.

“The Department of Tourism reminds everyone that compliance to the prescribed health guidelines and safety protocol is a shared responsibility,” the DOT said in a statement.

“The  DOT enjoins its partners in the tourism industry to strictly enforce the health and safety protocols and to put paramount importance on the safety of the guests, the tourism workforce, and the host community,” it added.

The DOT said that it is imperative that all stakeholders — government agencies, the local government units, private tourism enterprises, guests, and other industry players— will work together to ensure the swift recovery of the tourism industry.

In a pre-taped public address, the President ordered the Philippine National Police, the Department of Tourism, and local government units to arrest those who would be caught presenting fake test results.

Duterte also ordered the agencies to enforce strict compliance on health protocols on local tourism.

He said he received some reports that some travelers in several locations in the country, most notably in Boracay, were presenting fake test results to circumvent travel restrictions.

EDV