The Department of Tourism (DOT) revealed that the pandemic response task force has already started considering reopening the Philippines to fully-vaccinated tourists, but only from low-risk areas.
Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat said the DOT is expecting the guidelines for tourists coming from “green” countries to come out this week after recent developments in the tourism industry.
“Hopefully by this week ma-approve na ‘yung mga condition and we can implement it para kapag Pasko masaya na,” she said during an interview with government TV station, PTV.
Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles earlier announced that IATF is finalizing the guidelines for tourists from “green” countries or territories.
Puyat said her department is looking forward to the opening of the border and hoped that it would speed up the tourism industry’s revival.
“At least, simula na ito, tuloy tuloy na ito na hindi gaya dati. Last year, walang international travel,” she said.
Puyat also confirmed that many local destinations have already removed the RT-PCR test requirement amid the rising vaccination rate in the country. Ronald Espartinez