The world–renowned island is now open to all local travelers and foreigner travelers resigning here in Philippines starting October 1, 2020.
Opening Boracay for tourists or selling flights and tour packages doesn’t mean we don’t care about public health. Rest assured that the authorities are still securing your safety with health advisories, implementation, and reminders. COVID-19 knocked out the tourism industry and millions of people around the world lost their jobs. Extending strict quarantine is a threat to our survival. Not all of us receive financial assistance, not all of us have savings that can cover for months or a year! We have enough quarantines and it’s time to restart the world with the new normal.
Other sectors must start working so we can survive, and we need to start traveling so we can help people who lost their jobs. By traveling, we are helping millions of people who work in airlines, hotels, tour coordinators, tour guides, travel agencies, vendors, food sellers, restaurants, and many more. With safety precautions, we are good to go!
But is it really worth it to travel now? COVID-19 is still kicking, besides spending airfare and hotel, rapid test cost you 3-8k depending on hospitals, plus there are things you need to fill up. If you are the type of person who is a budget traveler, a worried traveler, doesn’t like hassle, maybe you will consider it next time.
But if you are willing and really wanted to feel the air breeze and sight of the ocean, no one can stop you! We are locked up in a months and we need this relaxation, just make sure you take notes all the details before you go.
Here’s what you need to know about requirements, processes, health and safety protocols.
Boracay Island open its borders to help the local economy. It was closed in March to prevent the spread of Corona virus dropping 75% of international arrivals. Out of 5.7 million tourism industry workers, 4.8 million either lost their jobs or took pay cuts.
It was first open on June 1, allowing local residents to enjoy white-sand beach. By June 16, residents coming from Western Visayas region (Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental) were allowed to enter. On October 1, the island is finally open from all over the Philippines coming from regions that are under general community quarantine. Limiting up to 2000 tourists from 6000 regular visitors
To those who cannot wait and longing for a vacation. There are travel regulation must be followed. Tourist must prepare these requirements in order to enter the island:
1. A negative COVID-19 test result must provided from 48-72 hours (2-3 days) before travelling to the island. Only those negative results will be allowed to travel.
2. Tourists must fill out an online health declaration.
3. Must pre-arranged reservations. Confirm booking of accredited hotel or resort and of course your airfare ticket.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT IF I GET SYMPTOMS AFTER ARRIVAL OR DURING THE TRIP?
Yes you have negative result prior to departure but you can have it anytime during your travel! On airports, inflight, close boats, hotels or any crowded places. So make sure you have sanitizer and face mask in a crowded and closed areas!
For those who are suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 will have to leave the place and be brought to Kalibo town in Aklan province. There is an isolation facility and an operational COVID-19 laboratory at the Dr. Rafael S. Tumbokon Memorial Hospital in Kalibo.
AGE RESTRICTIONS
No age restriction. Tourists of all ages will be allowed! Seniors (60 years old and above) and minors (below 20 years old) are allowed because it’s unavoidable for the tourist who want to bring their families. Restrictions as to persons with comorbidities will remain to be strictly enforced.
DO WE NEED TRAVEL AUTHORITY?
No! a negative result is suffice. Tourists are NO longer have to secure a travel authority from the Philippine National Police (PNP).
HOTELS / BARS / RESTAURANT UPDATES
Around 199 establishments, with 4,416 rooms, have been issued Certificates of Authority to Operate, according to the DOT. Some 292 Hotels in Boracay are allowed to operate at a limited capacity of 50%, with a maximum of 2 guests per room. Around 382 bars and restaurants were given accreditation ahead of the island destination's opening. This number could increase once the establishments meet requirements. Curfew will be from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m.
WHAT ARE THE ALLOWED ACTIVITIES
Dining. Restaurants are open with minimum public health standards in place.
Swimming. Dipping and swimming are allowed in designated swimming areas from 6 AM - 6 PM.
Water Sports. Different water sports such as parasailing, kitesurfing, jet skiing, among others are allowed at reduced capacity.
GUIDELINES
1. Test before you travel. A negative RT-PCR result not earlier than forty-eight (48) hours prior to travelling to Boracay is mandatory. Travelers are strongly advised to observe strict quarantine immediately after undergoing the test until the date of travel to the island.
2. Book in DOT-accredited establishments only. To ensure safety and the quality of service, all travelers are required to pre-book in DOT-accredited hotels and resorts issued with a Certificate of Authority to Open. (Message us for more details)
3. Register your visit online.
3.1 Fill up the Online Health Declaration Card click here: http://203.115.144.93:9056/health-declaration-boracay.aspx
3.2 Fill out the required fields and submit. A confirmation with instructions will be displayed.
3.3 Save a copy of the Health Declaration Card (HDC) on your smartphone or have it printed.
3.4 Attach a copy of the HDC together with a copy of your RT-PCR Negative Result, confirmed flight and booking details, and your valid ID, then email it to touristboracay@gmail.com with this subject format: OHDC - Family Name, First Name (example: OHDC - Dela Cruz, Juan). Registration for multiple tourists and their documents can be sent in one email.
3.5 Wait for the email response within the day. If approved, a copy of your HDC and Tourist QR Code will be sent back to you. Present these to authorities in the borders for scanning.
4. Follow port of entry guidelines. Airlines are advised that the Godofredo P. Ramos Airport in Caticlan, Municipality of Malay will be the only port of entry for tourists traveling by air. A central point shall be established to screen tourists travelling by land, air, or sea.
5. Familiarize yourself with local health and safety facilities and guidelines. Stringent health and safety guidelines, emergency response protocols, and a COVID-19 Laboratory are in place as you enter Boracay. See FAQs to learn more.
REMINDERS
Don’t travel if you’re feeling under the weather. Protect your health and the well-being of others. If you are showing symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, sore throat, difficulty breathing, etc.), please rebook your trip and consult a doctor.
Get tested only in licensed labs. Ensure that you are getting your RT-PCR Tests in accredited laboratories. Click here: https://hfsrb.doh.gov.ph/?page_id=1729
No face mask + No face shield = No Ride for ALL Public Utility Vehicles. Keep your safety gear on. Only a maximum of two (2) passengers on tricycles and a maximum of four (4) passengers on e-trikes are allowed in Boracay.
Keep your tourist QR code with you at all times. Have a printed copy on hand or digital copy in your smartphone. The QR Code will be used in accessing services in Boracay Island
Remember to register before swimming in the ocean. Go to designated beach stations and have your temperature checked before going into the water. You can swim in the marked areas between red and yellow flags from 6am to 6pm.
WHY BORACAY REOPEN AMIDST VIRUS THREAT?
"The goal is to slowly reopen the country's popular tourist destinations in a "safe and sure" manner during the pandemic in order to restart the tourism industry while preventing a spike in cases. Many lose their jobs, and we need to find a way to restart tourism, to restart the economy, but with health and safety protocols." - Tourism secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat
MORE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Here are some common inquiries about the local tourism in Boracay regarding its reopening, and their safety protocol with regards to COVID-19.
Who are allowed to travel to Boracay?
Only travelers who underwent RT-PCR and are negative for COVID-19 not earlier than 48 hours prior to travelling to Boracay are allowed to enter the island.
Visitors from destinations under a General Community Quarantine (GCQ) classification are also allowed to visit the island provided that they test negative for COVID-19 thru RT-PCR.
Age restriction has been relaxed to allow travelers below 21 and above 60 years old with no comorbidity to travel to Boracay.
Is a declared daily itinerary required for all visitors?
All tourists are required to register online at http://aklan.gov.ph and fill-up an health declaration form. A QR code will be sent after a successful registration.
All the hotels, food establishments, and water sports will have a QR scanning system.
On top of the QR records, the hotels and resorts will be advised to look after their own guests including knowledge of their whereabouts.
What happens if a traveler shows symptoms of COVID-19 during the trip?
If symptomatic upon arrival in the airport:
1. The tourist will be sent to the Airport Isolation Area.
2. Airport COVID Medical Team will assess the patient.
3. If upon assessment tourist is a COVID suspect (mild), the tourist will be sent to a Provincial Quarantine Facility (Aklan Training Center).
If COVID suspect results showed moderate-severe, the tourist will be sent to the Provincial designated COVID Referral Hospital (DRSTMH) for admission. Airport ambulance will be used to transport the patient.
4. All COVID suspects will be swabbed for RTPCR Testing.
If symptomatic in Boracay
1. The tourist or the hotel’s Health & Safety Officer will call the Boracay COVID Hotline Number, 152. Ciriaco S. Tirol Hospital (CSTH) manages the COVID hotline.
2. A CSTH Nurse will get the pertinent details of the symptomatic tourist and will inform the CSTH COVID Responder.
3. A CSTH COVID Responder will be deployed to the location of the tourist and bring the tourist to CSTH (Designated COVID Isolation Area).
4. A CSTH Doctor will conduct evaluation and medical assessment, will request for diagnostic tests, and will do initial management of the patient.
5. If upon assessment tourist is a COVID suspect (mild), the tourist will be sent to a Provincial Quarantine Facility (Aklan Training Center). If COVID suspect results showed moderate-severe, the tourist will be sent to the Provincial designated COVID Referral Hospital (DRSTMH) for admission. Ambulance within the island and the mainland, including the sea ambulance are already in place.
6. All COVID suspects will be swabbed for RTPCR Testing
If positive, will all the passengers be quarantined? If yes, where?
Only the positive tourist and his/her close contacts will be quarantined.
The Municipal Contact Tracing Team will be activated once there is a positive case. The contact tracing team will trace all the close contacts of the positive case from 2 days before the start of the onset of symptoms.
The data from the QR Code system will be helpful in the fast identification of the close contacts.
The airline seat number of the positive case will be identified and the passengers 4 rows front, back, and sides will be notified through the Hotel & Safety Officers of the Hotels.
The pumpboat seat number of the positive case will also be identified and the passengers 4 rows front, back, and sides will be notified through the Hotel & Safety Officers of the Hotels.
All the tourist’s itinerary will also be identified
These identified close contacts will be requested to self-isolate in their individual hotel rooms. They will then be scheduled for testing.
If tourist is positive with mild symptoms, he/she will be transferred from Aklan Training Center to a Provincial Designated Hotel for COVID positive with mild symptoms.
If tourist is positive with moderate-severe symptoms, he/she will be referred to the Provincial designated COVID Referral Hospital (DRSTMH) for admission.
Are you now excited to travel despite of the pandemic and requirements? What do you think about it? share us your thoughts on comment section.
OR share your opinion anonymously in this link: https://forms.gle/AAshtbWyPzyGJxhh6
CONTACT US FOR AIRFARE & TRAVEL PACKAGE
For a less hassle travel experience, let us arrange your booking.
GIFT YOURSELF & YOUR LOVED ONES A VACATION
3D2N BORACAY CHRISTMAS PROMO PACKAGE
LAND ARRANGEMENT PRICE: PHP 3,950/pax (Adult) PHP 2,950/pax (11 yrs. old below)
BOOKING PERIOD: - Until December 31, 2020 - at least 1 week before your travel date
TRAVEL PERIOD:
- Until the end of December 2021
INCLUSIONS: - 2 Nights Hotel Accommodation - Daily Breakfast - Round trip Hotel and Boat Transfers from Caticlan - Environmental and Terminal Fees at Jetty Port
EXCLUSIONS: - Airfare (we also offer flight bookings) - Other expenses not mentioned above
ADD ON TOURS: - Helmet Diving - Island Hopping + Kawa Bath + Helmet Diving - Island Hopping + Kawa Bath + Banana Boat
PLEASE NOTE: - Minimum of 2 persons to avail - Infant not allowed - PHP 950/pax for every additional night of stay
Message us on Facebook for inquiries and updates @apparate.travelandtours.
You may also contact us on:
Globe/TM: +63 967 6044 868
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Whatsapp: +63 9676044868
Telephone: (046) 414 5992
Email: apparate.travelandtours@gmail.com
Thank you and stay safe!
SOURCES:
* These news was announced by the Department of Tourism-secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force chairperson, Department of Environment and Natural Resource-secretary Roy Cimatu, Department of Interior and Local Government secretary- Eduardo Año, Malay Acting-Mayor Frolibar Bautista, and Aklan governor Florencio Miraflores.
https://www.reportr.world/news/boracay-reopening-oct-1-negative-swab-test
https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2020/9/23/Boracay-reopening-GCQ-October-
www.spot.ph/things-to-do/the-latest-things-to-do-boracay-reopens-to-the-public-
www.philippines.travel/destinations/boracay
https://businessmirror.com.ph [cheers-greet-boracays-opening-to-more-tourists]