BORACAY – Even with the new protocols released by the national inter-agency task force on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to be able to go around the country, tourists visiting this island resort are still required to show negative results of their swab / reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests, said Acting Mayor Frolibar Bautista of Malay, Aklan.
However, he said, there might be changes in the coming days.
Bautista said a recommendation has been submitted to the Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force that instead of a swab test, they will shift to the saliva test.
“We are still waiting for the approval,” he said.
He added that he and Aklan governor Florencio Miraflores already discussed that they would “push for the saliva test and not swab test.”
Once the saliva test is approved, more tourists are expected to come in, said Bautista.
“A lot of our tourists are suggesting that we change the procedure to saliva,” he revealed.
Bautista said that over 100 tourists were found to have fake swab/RT-PCR test results since October last year.
These violators se caught were made to undergo quarantine, face corresponding charges, and declared persona non grata.
Meantime, Bautista said they are still waiting for an executive order to be released by Miraflores following their virtual meeting on March 2.
During the meeting, mayors of the province of Aklan agreed not to lift RT-PCR as among the requirements for travelers visiting their areas.
Bautista said travelers are still required to show a negative result of their RT-PCR taken within 72 hours, secure a Tourist QR code and present a copy of confirmed booking with a resort or hotel accommodation. (PNA/PN)
