MANILA – Beginning Nov. 16, Boracay Island travelers fully vaccinated against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) need not present negative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test results.
Tourists must only present proof of vaccination, according to Aklan’s Gov. Florencio Miraflores.
“Mag-submit lang ng vaccination certificate or VaxCertPH under the (Department of Information and Communications Technology) website, o ‘yung kanilang vaccination card na may QR code galing sa issuing (local government unit),” Miraflores said over ABS-CBN Teleradyo’s Sakto on Friday.
Those yet to be vaccinated or were only inoculated with the first dose of a two-dose jab must still present a negative RT-PCR test result upon arrival, said Miraflores.
The governor also said the province set up a system to detect fake vaccination cards and/or certificates.
The Department of Tourism (DOT), meanwhile, welcomed the Aklan government’s move to waive the test requirement.
“The DOT expects more visitors in the popular tourist destination this November to December,” DOT said in a statement.
Data from DOT showed, so far, 12,039 tourism workers in Boracay Island – 93.99 percent of its target population have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. These included tricycle drivers, massage therapists and vendors in souvenirs shops, among others./PN
