BORACAY lsland will finally reopen to tourists even those coming from general community quarantine areas like the National Capital Region.
This was the decision made by the Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force (BIATF) during its meeting Tuesday evening, according to Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat. In a Viber message, she enthused, “Breaking news. Boracay will open October 1 even to GCQ provided they are negative in RT-PCR [test].” It was not clear, however, if the RT-PCR tests would be taken by the tourists upon arrival in Boracay or prior to their departure from their home locations,
The BIATF decision was welcomed by the Tourism Congress of the Philippines, recognizing the double whammy suffered by Boracay — first being closed for six months in 2018 for a government-led rehabilitation effort, then second, the Covid-19 crisis which led to international travel restrictions around the world.
“We would like to thank the BIATF for allowing Boracay Island to reopen. This is a bold move by the province of Aklan and Boracay. It is a step towards reopening the country to tourism and getting the economy back on track. We wish them the best of luck on this endeavor,” said TCP President Jose C. Clemente III. He reminded stakeholders on the island and its visitors, however, “to strictly observe health guidelines and protocols tonsure a safe and healthy experience.”
Romulo Puyat said no foreigners are to be allowed just yet, which had initially been a proposal by the governor of Aklan. (See, “Boracay reopening to foreign guests eyed by October,” in the BusinessMirror, Aug, 17, 2020.) At present, Boracay accepts tourists from Western Visayas, but these are not enough to lift the island’s arrivals and visitor receipts.
Last year, arrivals in Boracay reached 2.03 million, up 110 percent from 2018. Of the number, domestic tourists accounted for 932,433, up 163 percent from 2018.
Image credits: Stella Arnaldo
3 comments
It’s sad that nobody who will visit boracay cant pay the fees and prices. Prices are sky high..food, rice, alcohol, etc..
Its a shame that the government does nothing for the locals here.
RT-PCR Test will cost you, the cheapest, US $ 100 per visitor, not to mention the hassle of getting slot appointment for the test.
Better to go abroad.
Philippines, “The Lockdown State”, where lockdown mutated already to several classes (ECQ, MECQ, GCQ, MGCQ, Barangay Lockdown, Special Concern Lockdown, Hard Lockdown, etc.)
I doesnt make sence.The Test are to expensive.Doppel then a Room.The Pandemic will last long,because nobody goes to a doc for d test.When they feel sick they stay at home and spread d virus.