Judging by the number of people precariously swarming the controversial dolomite beach at Manila Bay, it seems people are really itching to go out. And with the country now classified as low risk for COVID-19—at least according to the Department of Health—some local destinations are slowly opening to fully vaccinated tourists.
Here are some of these tourist spots now accepting fully vaccinated visitors as of Oct. 26:
Boracay
Once it hits its vaccination target this month, Aklan is welcoming guests to its white sand beaches once again. Along with this reopening, the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test requirement has been waived. The local government is also considering scrapping the current 10 p.m. curfew on the island.
Cebu
Another locale doing away with the RT-PCR test requirement for tourists is Cebu. Fully vaccinated individuals who wish to go there will only have to present their vaccination card with QR code or a vaccination certificate. The city which is currently under alert level 2, will still accept partially vaccinated and non-vaccinated visitors given that they have a negative RT-PCR test, a negative antigen test result, or a negative saliva swab test result.
Bohol
Returning residents and fully vaccinated visitors of Bohol don’t need to present a negative COVID-19 result, the LGU announced last week. Partially vaccinated and non-vaccinated individuals, however, will still have to secure a negative COVID-19 test taken not more than 72 hours prior to their trip.
Baguio
The Summer Capital of the country is opening its chilly pine-lined streets again—two months after it implemented a non-essential travel ban. But unlike Boracay and Cebu, it still requires a negative COVID-19 test result as well as a mandatory medical triage screening.
Iloilo and Negros Occidental
In an interview on ANC “Headstart,” Department of Tourism secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said these two provinces have fully vaccinated their tourism workers. She also added that its LGUs are no longer requiring fully vaccinated tourists to present a negative COVID-19 test.
