COVID-19 tests required again from hotel guests in Subic Freeport

Hotels and other accommodation facilities inside the Subic Bay Freeport are slowly recovering from the pandemic-hit tourism industry. But on Tuesday (Jan. 25), the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority said it again requires hotel guests to show negative COVID-19 test results before their check-in. (Photo by Joanna Rose Aglibot)

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – Amid the continuing increase in COVID-19 infections in the country, guests entering hotels and accommodation facilities inside this free port are again required to show negative COVID-19 test results.

In a statement on Tuesday (Jan. 25), Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), Chair and Administrator Wilma Eisma, said hotel guests need to present negative antigen results taken in the past 24 hours or reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests released 48 hours before their check-in.

“While interzonal travel is allowed under Alert Level 3, we want to take the extra step in ensuring the health and safety, not only of our visitors in the Freeport, but also of our local businesses, workers, and stakeholders,” Eisma said.

She said the visitors would also be asked to show their vaccination cards when entering the free port, while the unvaccinated are required to secure negative RT-PCR test results.

Previous Alert Level 3 guidelines from the IATF did not require antigen or RT-PCR tests for interzonal travel except when required by establishments or event organizers.

“[But] because of the recent surge in COVID-19 infections, there is a need for us to enforce stricter measures for the sake of both visitors and locals, and to keep Subic businesses going,” Eisma said.