DOT chief says no COVID outbreak because of reopened tourism

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 28) – Tourism chief Berna Romulo-Puyat said on Monday that the reopening of several Philippine travel destinations for travelers had not caused a coronavirus outbreak.

“We are happy to see an outbreak na walang (that there is none) due to tourism,” she said in a virtual briefing.

This is because the department continues to entice local executives to support the recovery of tourism in order to stimulate the Philippine economy.

Puyat said the DOT is continuing discussions with them about reopening tourist attractions safely, despite respecting the decision of some local governments not yet to welcome travelers.

The DOT chief also noted that all tourism workers are ready to receive COVID-19 vaccines, while more than 100 facilities have received safe travel stamps.

The department has also decided to extend its RT-PCR testing subsidy for local travelers so that more qualified tourists can get 50% off swab tests when traveling to domestic destinations.

Earlier this month, the DOT announced that recreational travel to and from NCR Plus to areas under modified general community quarantine has been allowed by the Pandemic Response Task Force.

Travelers under 18 and over 65 must present a negative swab test before boarding a flight. For tourists between the ages of 18 and 65, they must check the travel conditions of the destination.

Puyat said the DOT is also open to partnerships with hospitals and accredited COVID test centers to expand the subsidized RT-PCR test.