BORACAY – The Department of Tourism (DOT) is mulling falsification charges against six tourists who presented fake coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) test results to enter the island last December 2020.
According to Tourism secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, the six tourists from Metro Manila faked the results because they knew they were infected but still wanted to visit the popular tourist destination.
“The [local government unit] is filing a complaint but we in the DOT are also thinking of filing a case kasi dapat matuto na talaga,” Romulo-Puyat said. “Nakakalungkot. Akala nila nakalamang sila. Pero what they didn’t realize was naapektuhan nila lahat ng nagtatrabaho sa Boracay.”
Since the reopening of Boracay on Oct. 1, 2020 after some seven months of lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic, tourists bound for the famed island resort are required to present a negative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction test within 72 hours before their trip. This is a requirement before they are issued a QR (quick response) code needed to enter the island.
Tourists are also required to wear facemasks unless during swimming sessions.
There is no liquor ban in the island but discos and bars are still prohibited from operating./PN
