Ilocos Norte scraps COVID-19 test for fully vaxxed tourists

Stacked stones make a great addition to the Paoay Sand Dunes in Ilocos Norte province, attracting tourists. (Photo courtesy of Ilocos Norte Tourism Office)

LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte––The government of Ilocos Norte has made it easier for fully vaccinated tourists to enter the province by dropping the COVID-19 testing requirements.

Tourists hoping to visit the province’s top attractions would only need to show proof that they have been vaccinated fully against COVID-19, according to a social media post on Feb. 18 by the Ilocos Norte tourism office.

It said tourists must also show confirmed bookings from accredited accommodation or travel agencies.

Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated domestic tourists can enter the province but must show a negative RT-PCR test taken within the last 60 hours before arrival.

They can also show a negative antigen test, which is also available at the provincial borders.

Children below 12 years old have also been exempted from testing requirements when traveling with their fully vaccinated or duly exempted parents.

An individual is exempted from the testing requirement when he/she can show a medical clearance issued by government health officials from the place of origin.

Local officials said tourism was a critical economic growth driver for the province. More than two million visited it during the peak of summer before the pandemic began in 2020.

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