Visiting PH tourist sites? Check list of requirements first

MANILA, Philippines — Last week, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) has decided to revert a previous resolution on the domestic travel of fully-vaccinated persons, including senior citizens.

Resolution No. 124-B, said travelers crossing local borders who are fully vaccinated against SARS Cov2,  the virus that causes COVID-19, are only required to present proof of complete COVID-19 vaccination instead of COVID test results.

However, in a separate announcement, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said that the country instead follow protocols from an earlier resolution which stated that COVID-19 testing for travelers is not mandatory unless the local government made it a requirement.

Amid the confusing travel protocols, below are some of the travel requirements for fully vaccinated and vaccinated individuals planning to visit some of the country’s top tourist spots.

Baguio City

Last week, Baguio City welcomed fully vaccinated tourists without requiring a negative coronavirus test result.

It is the first tourist destination in the country to waive the test requirement in favor of a vaccination card.

Baguio now welcomes fully vaccinated tourists even without COVID-19 test results

In travel protocols issued by Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, individuals who will visit the city for leisure, private social functions, or transactions, where physical presence is dispensable or optional, must adhere to the following guidelines:

For domestic tourists who are fully vaccinated:

• Approved QR coded Tourist Pass (QTP) which will be issued upon registration at https://visita.baguIo.gov.ph/
• Valid government ID
• COVID-19 domestic Vaccination Card issued by a legitimate vaccinating establishment, or Certificate of Quarantine Completion showing the holder’s vaccination status as Issued by the Bureau of Quarantine.

For those who are not fully vaccinated:

• Approved QR coded Tourist Pass (QTP) which will be issued upon registration at https://visita.baguIo.gov.ph/
• Valid government ID
• Negative results of Antigen or RT-PCR test conducted within 72 hours prior to entry into Baguio. In the absence of negative test results, the traveler shall submit himself/herself for testing at the Baguio City Central Triage Unit.

“In all stages of travel, whether in transit, or while undergoing triage procedures, all persons are reminded to observe minimum public health standards at all times, and to immediately seek medical attention if they have come in contact with a known confirmed case, or if they begin to feel any flu-like symptoms,” Magalong said in the ordinance.

Baguio limits entry of tourists

Boracay

Unlike in Baguio, vaccination cards are still not considered as a replacement for negative RT-PCR (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) test results and may not be used as a sole requirement when entering Boracay.

“The LGU of Aklan still awaits for the proper verification system to ensure that Vaccination Cards are not faked before the province can adapt to the national IATF’s guideline,” the Malay Tourism Office said in a Facebook post on Monday (July 12).

Aklan Gov. Florencio Miraflores on July 9 issued an advisory requiring a negative RT-PCR test result (saliva, nasopharyngeal, oropharyngeal) for tourists coming from outside the province.

According to Miraflores, the advisory was due to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in Aklan.

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Travel guidelines posted by the Philippine Airlines (PAL), said only tourists from areas with a community quarantine classification as GCQ (General Community Quarantine) or lower are allowed to travel via Caticlan Airport.

Tourists are expected to submit the following requirements:

• Negative RT-PCR (swab) test result or negative Saliva RT-PCR test result (from Philippine Red Cross or other laboratories accredited by both DOH and FDA) conducted within 72 hours before flight departure. Infants, two years old and below, are exempted from this requirement
• Confirmed hotel booking or reservation at any DOT-accredited accommodation establishments in Boracay
• Roundtrip tickets
• Valid ID which indicates Philippine residency
• Copy of pending application for Travel Coordination Permit (TCP) from S-PaSS
• Tourist QR code

“Please fill up the Health Declaration form at least 24 hours before the flight via https://touristboracay.com and register as ‘Tourist’,” explained PAL.

“Processing for the Tourist QR Code takes approximately twelve (12) hours after receipt of documents. Please wait for the confirmation email to get the Tourist QR Code, and keep a printed or digital copy of this. You have to present your Tourist QR code upon boarding the flight and when accessing services in Boracay island,” the airlines added.

Upon arrival, tourists will take Caticlan Airport Authority-accredited transfers to Boracay island.

La Union

Those who are planning to surf and brave the waves or have a quick getaway and enjoy the beaches in La Union will have to register and book their visit online.

According to the provincial government of La Union, tourists must register to its Tara Na VISITA system (www.tarana.ph) and book their travel with a DOT accredited La Union-based travel agency.

Incoming visitors should also register to the province’s COVID-19 contact tracing application website at https://napanam.launion.gov.ph/.

“Tourists are also required to upload negative RT-PCR COVID-19 test results or Philippine Red Cross-administered PCR saliva test and a Government-issued Identification Card for their travel request to be approved,” the provincial government said in a Facebook post.

Ilocos Norte

Amid the IATF resolution for interzonal travel, Ryan Remigio, Ilocos Norte government consultant on border and external affairs, announced last week that the province will still require strict health protocols even for fully vaccinated tourists.

These measures include mandatory COVID-19 testing and a medical triage at the provincial borders.

COVID-19 protocols in Ilocos Norte remain unchanged for fully vaccinated travelers

According to the official Facebook page of Ilocos Norte Tourism Office, those who are planning to enter the province must follow “three easy steps.”

First, domestic tourists must register at https://ilocosnorte.ph/. Valid ID and confirmed booking from accredited accommodation or travel agencies are also required.

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Next, leisure guests may get their QR codes from Safepass (m.me/safepassportal).

Lastly, tourists aged 18 to 65 years old are mandated to submit negative RT-PCR and rapid antigen test results.

Tourists from GCQ (including areas with restrictions): “RT-PCR (Including saliva, such as the one being administered by the Philippine Red Cross) taken within 72 hours OR Rapid Antigen Test taken within 24 hours before arrival OR Rapid Antigen Test upon arrival in Ilocos Norte,” said the provincial tourism office.

Tourists from MGCQ: “Rapid Antigen Test taken within 24 hours before arrival OR Rapid Antigen Test upon arrival in Ilocos Norte,” it added.

Negros Occidental

Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson on July 6 issued Executive Order (EO) No. 21-34 which stated the general protocols for the entry of fully vaccinated tourists.

Following the IATF resolution, the following requirements are needed for the interzonal movement of fully vaccinated individuals:

• COVID-19 domestic vaccination card issued by a legitimate vaccinating establishment or
• Certificate of Quarantine Completion reflecting the holder’s vaccination status issued by BOQ.

“Provided, that the inbound traveler shall undergo health and exposure screening upon arrival in the local government unit of destination,” said Lacson.

The EO, according to the governor, will likewise apply to fully vaccinated senior citizens.

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Negros Oriental

The government of Negros Oriental, on the other hand, said that fully vaccinated travelers should still present a nonreactive antigen test result (valid up to 48 hours upon the release of the result) before entering the province.

All unvaccinated tourists are meanwhile required to submit a negative oropharyngeal or nasopharyngeal RT-PCR test result (valid up to 72 hours upon the release of the result) from accredited testing centers or laboratories.

The provincial government likewise requires all travelers to have an approved S-PASS.

Zambales

Zambales, located on the western shores of Luzon along the West Philippine Sea, is known for its beaches as well as surrounding coves and Islands—like the Anawangin Cove, Nagsasa Cove, Potipot Island, and Capones Island.

As of July 4, tourists must have the following requirements before entering the province:

• A Zambales VISITA (Visitor Information and Travel Assistant) account, the online registration system for Zambales tourists and travelers. Tourists may register at visita.zambales.gov.ph
• Confirmed accommodation from any DOT-accredited hotels or resorts with a Local Certificate of Compliance in the Province.
• Negative RT-PCR result:  “ Unvaccinated individuals who will be coming from provinces, Highly Urbanized Cities (HUCs), and Independent Component Cities (ICCs) with Risk Level Classification, who wish to stay overnight or more at Accommodation Establishments with DOT accreditation or Local Certificate of Compliance, are required to submit a negative RT-PCR test result from any accredited testing laboratory or hospitals at least 48 hours prior to travel,” said the tourism office of Zambales.
• Negative rapid antigen test result:  “ Fully vaccinated individuals (1 month after 2nd Dose of Vaccine), from Provinces, Highly Urbanized Cities (HUCs), and Independent Component Cities (ICCs) with Risk Level Classification, who wish to stay overnight or more at Accommodation Establishments with DOT accreditation or Local Certificate of Compliance, submit a negative rapid antigen test result from any accredited testing laboratory or hospital, 24 hours prior to travel,” it added.
• QR-Coded Travelers Pass (QTP): Provided after the scheduled travel was approved

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Bohol

Domestic tourists who are planning to explore Bohol — home of the iconic Chocolate Hills and Philippine Tarsier —  are required to present the following:

• Negative RT-PCR swab test or Saliva RT-PCR test result from Philippine Red Cross, conducted within 72 hours before departure. Children below the age of four are exempted from this requirement.
• Confirmed accommodation from hotels that have a Certificate of Authority to Operate (CAO) from the Department of Tourism (DOT) or the Ultimate Bohol Experience (UBE) Seal from the Provincial Government of Bohol.
• QR code which will be given after registering online through the Bohol Tourist Registration portal via tourism.bohol.gov.ph. The personal QR code will serve as an electronic visitor’s ID. Other necessary information and instructions will also be sent through an email upon registration.

Walk-in tourists will not be allowed to enter the province, according to the provincial travel protocols.

Siargao

Based on a memorandum order issued on July 7 by Surigao del Norte Gov. Francisco Matugas, tourists invited by residents of the province must submit the following requirements:

• Negative RT-PCR test result or Saliva Test (conducted by the Philippine National Red Cross) taken within 48) hours or two days from the date of release of the result; or
• COVID-19 domestic vaccination card issued by legitimate vaccinating establishments for fully vaccinated individuals; or
• Certificate of Quarantine Completion which indicates the holder’s vaccination status issued by the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ)
• Valid ID
• Travel Certification issued by the Mayor of the City/Municipality of destination (within the Province of Surigao del Norte)

Meanwhile, walk-in tourists or those who are not invited by residents of Surigao del Norte must present the following:

• Negative RT-PCR test result or Saliva Test (conducted by the Philippine National Red Cross) taken within 48) hours or two days from the date of release of the result; or
• COVID-19 domestic vaccination card issued by legitimate vaccinating establishments for fully vaccinated individuals; or
• Certificate of Quarantine Completion which indicates the holder’s vaccination status issued by the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ)
• Valid ID
• Confirmed booking of accommodation for at least two nights from a DOT-accredited resort, hotel, or hostel.

Zamboanga

The city government of Zamboanga on July 3 announced that it will implement a strict “no swab, no entry policy for all persons who shall arrive at all points of entry to Zamboanga City.”

For leisure travels, tourists must submit the following requirements:

• Negative RT-PCR test result within five days from date of collection of specimen;
• Travel itinerary;
• Confirmed hotel accommodation with DOT accredited establishments;
• Roundtrip ticket.

“Leisure travelers shall email their requirements to destinozamboanga@gmail.com,” the city government said.

Travelers are also asked to apply for an S-PASS.

Meanwhile, those who will be showing signs and symptoms of COVID-19 upon symptoms upon arriving at the point of entry will be placed in a government quarantine facility, pending the result of their RT-PCR.

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Accredited resort establishments are not allowed to accept walk-in travelers and are limited to 10 persons per booking.

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