DOT tells Boracay tourists: ‘Wear a mask when it makes sense’

Yesterday, October 1 was an exciting day for some vacationers as Boracay started welcoming tourists from areas placed under general community quarantine (GCQ) and modified general community quarantine (MGCQ). Only 35 people, seven from Metro Manila, went to the famous island on its reopening day. 

For island-goers, Department of Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat stressed the importance of wearing a mask “when it makes sense” in an online interview on ANC Headstart.

“The question is: Will you wear a mask while swimming? Hindi naman siguro,” she said. “Of course, we have to remind the tourists that there’s still COVID, but at the same time, we have to live with the virus. So always naman wear a mask, keep a physical distance, and always wash your hands if possible.” The restaurants in Boracay, she added, are also following the same health and safety protocols in Manila. 

Before going to Boracay, tourists are required to present a negative result from a Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) swab test conducted not earlier than 48 hours prior to their arrival date. Should they experience signs and symptoms of the disease, the tourism chief said that they may request for a rebook or refund from their chosen hotels and airlines.