BORACAY – Western Visayas tourists planning to spend time here are advised to bring extra cash as hotel and other miscellaneous expenses may increase in preparation for the “new normal.”
The Department of Tourism (DOT) has earlier announced that the world-famous island is open again starting today.
Those above 60 years old and below 21, however, are still not allowed to visit Boracay Island.
Provincial Health Office head Dr. Cornelio Cuachon Jr. said that the National Inter-Agency Task Force and the Department of Tourism DOT has mandated hotels in Boracay to strictly implement health protocols to tourists as preventive measures against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
“Among the health protocols to be implemented are limiting crowds in each hotel due to physical distancing measures, placing of footbaths and purchasing of scanners. These add up to the expenses of hotels, and these could be charged to tourists wanting to enjoy Boracay,” said Cuachon.
“The provincial government is also planning to put up a molecular testing facility. It might also be used for tourists coming to Boracay. To ensure Boracay remains free from COVID-19, tourists may be required to undergo testing before (they are) allowed to go to (the resort island),” he said.
Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, for her part, assured tourists that hotels and other establishments in the well-famed island will strictly follow health protocols as operations resume.
She said during a Dobol B sa News TV interview yesterday that local authorities will ensure that employees and tourists will strictly wear face masks and face shields and observe physical distancing. There will also be frequent temperature checks and sanitation.
Arriving tourists will have to sign health declaration forms, Puyat added.
According to her, there will also be QR code scanners for the health declaration forms for contactless transactions.
“Very impressed ako sa ginagawa ng Boracay ngayon kasi talagang ‘yung pinakita nila, contactless, walang hinahawakan,” Puyat said.
The hotels and establishments that will operate were already inspected and accredited by the DOT, she added.(With a report from GMA/PN)
