Boracay Lifts RT-PCR Tests for Fully Vaxx Travelers; Here’s What You Need To Know

Despite raising the Alert Level from 2 to 3, the province of Aklan still lifted RT-PCR (Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) tests for fully vaccinated tourists starting February 1.

In the amended Executive Order No. 001-A, Series of 2022, Governor Florencio “Joeben” Tumbocon Miraflores announced that only unvaccinated and partially vaccinated travelers are required to take RT-PCR tests.

Meanwhile, for those fully vaccinated travelers, proof of vaccination is required. It can be from VaxCertPH COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate, locally issued vaccination card, or the World Health Organization International Certificates of Vaccination and Prophylaxis/Vaccination card issued abroad.

Boracay sunset/IMAGE from the Department of Tourism

In the original, Executive Order No. 001 both vaccinated and unvaccinated tourists are required to have negative RT-PCR tests in order to enter the island of Boracay.

The decision was made to align and to welcome all fully vaccinated returning Filipinos and foreigners from countries with visa-free entry who may enter the Philippines starting this month.

In the press briefing of Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles last Sunday, he announced that the National Capital Region (NCR) and seven provinces (Batanes, Bulacan, Cavite, Rizal in Luzon; Biliran and Southern Leyte in the Visayas; and Basilan in Mindanao) will be put under Alert Level 2 starting this month.

Also read: PH to accept fully vaxxed returning Filipinos, foreigners starting Feb.

 

Executive Order No. 001-A, Series of 2022/IMAGE from Aklan.gov.ph

According to IATF-EID, the following cities and provinces will be placed under Alert Level 3:

* Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR): Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Kalinga, Mountain Province, and Baguio City;
* Region 1 (Ilocos Region): Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union and Pangasinan, and Dagupan City;
* Region 2 (Cagayan Valley): Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, and City of Santiago;
* Region 3 (Central Luzon): Aurora, Bataan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales, Angeles City, and Olongapo City;
* Region 4-A (Calabarzon): Batangas, Laguna, Quezon Province, and Lucena City;
* Region 4-B (Mimaropa): Marinduque, Romblon, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro and Puerto Princesa City;
* Region 5 (Bicol): Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate, Sorsogon, and Naga City.
* Region 6 (Western Visayas): Aklan, Antique, Bacolod City, Capiz, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Guimaras, and Iloilo City;
* Region 7 (Central Visayas): Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental and Siquijor, Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, and Mandaue City;
* Region 8 (Eastern Visayas): Eastern Samar, Leyte, Northern Samar, Western Samar, Ormoc City, and Tacloban City;
* Region 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula): Zamboanga Del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay, City of Isabela, and Zamboanga City;
* Region 10 (Northern Mindanao): Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Cagayan de Oro City, and Iligan City;
* Region 11 (Davao): Davao Del Sur, Davao Del Norte, Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, and Davao City;
* Region 12 (Soccsksargen): North Cotabato, Sarangani, South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat, and General Santos City;
* Region 13 (Caraga): Surigao del Norte, Surigao Del Sur, Agusan Del Norte, Agusan del Sur and Butuan City; and
* Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao: Maguindanao, Lanao Del Sur, and Cotabato City.