Staycations Now Allowed in GCQ Areas
Updated as of October 2, 2020
The Department of Tourism (DOT) has approved staycations in hotels in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) as a bid to gradually restart tourism activities in the country.
With the go-signal from the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID), DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said that allowing staycations in hotels to resume is to explore ways in restarting tourism during the quarantine.
Puyat signed the administrative order which allows “staycations” for persons of all ages, except those with underlying medical conditions, within areas under GCQ.
According to the guidelines, each guest is required to present a negative result from a rapid antigen test conducted on the same day of check-in. The order also provides that all accommodation establishments in areas declared to be under GCQ must secure a DOT Certificate of Authority to Operate for Staycations prior to accommodating any guests for a staycation.
Further, establishments must follow guidelines on guest handling, including the maximum number of guests per room, as well as health and safety standards for ancillary establishments. They may also resume operations of ancillary facilities such as gyms, swimming pools, restaurants, and other food and beverage outlets, except for bars that remain prohibited in GCQ areas.
We recognize the need to change our operating guidelines for accommodation establishments to help keep all our tourists…
Contactless and cashless transactions for taking bookings and payments are also mandatory to promote minimal physical contact among staff and guests.
More importantly, the guidelines prescribed that establishments must adhere to other issuances on health and safety standards from the Department of Trade and Industry or Department of Health as well as rules and regulations imposed by the LGU concerned.
Hotel Sales and Marketing Association Philippines President Christine Ibarreta expressed their readiness to welcome guests back in hotels and resorts. Safety and sanitation protocols will still be observed in their member hotels.
“It’s good news for hotels and resorts as the safety and sanitation protocols are in place with our member hotels, we are much ready to welcome guests back. This will likewise stimulate business all over the country and start rebuilding tourism,” Ibarreta said.
Also read: 5 Boutique Hotels Around the Metro for a Restful Staycation
The IATF-EID recently allowed hotels to accommodate guests who would check-in for leisure purposes even if the area is under GCQ. Previously, only health workers, exempted employees, returning OFWs, and stranded tourists were allowed to book a hotel room in strict quarantine measures.
Source: Philippine News Agency
