The Department of Tourism (DOT-6) is keeping its fingers crossed that the reopening of Boracay Island will be successful.
“Maganda na tumanggap na sila (Boracay) ng mga turista outside of Western Visayas. Tututukan natin ito para maging successful,” DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said in a press conference.
According the tourism chief, the gradual reopening of the island on Malay, Aklan will become a model as to how other local government units (LGUs) can safely reopen their tourist destinations.
“Importante ito kasi it’s Boracay. Other LGUs kahit na sa MGCQ (modified general community quarantine) na sila hesitant sila magbukas sa mga turista. All eyes are on Boracay. Kapag successful ito, nakausap naman natin ang ibang LGUs, gusto din nilang magbukas,” Puyat said.
“It’s very important that all health and safety protocols are in place para sure tayo na safe ang mga turista, safe ang mga employees,” she added.
The world-famous island resort, known for its powdery-white sand and clear waters, reopened on Wednesday, Oct. 1, to local tourists from MGCQ and GCQ areas.
All tourists, including those from Western Visayas, are required to present negative RT-PCR or swab test results. They need to get tested “not earlier than 48 hours prior to the date of travel.”
“Importante na magrestart na tayo kasi marami na ang nawalan ng trabaho. We can restart the economy kahit na may COVID-19 basta sundin lang natin health and safety protocols,” Puyat said.
“Hopefully before Christmas we could open up more tourist destinations,” she added.IMT
