DOT: Leisure travel from NCR to GCQ, MGCQ areas Allowed; Restrictions Subject to LGUs 

The Department of Tourism (DOT) announced last week that leisure travel from Metro Manila to areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) and modified GCQ (MGCQ) are allowed but restrictions are subject to Local Government Units (LGUs) guidelines starting from September 16 to 30. 

In the report of the Philippine News Agency, Tourism Sectary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat clarified that decision was made after Metro Manila was placed under Alert Level 4 in the pilot Covid-19 alert levels system.

Also read: Rizal Park, Intramuros Reopen Sept 16 

She highlighted that ”if LGU allows” as some regions suspended leisure travel such as  Baguio that is under GCQ and Batanes that is under MGCQ.  

“(Travel is allowed in) GCQ to MGCQ and if LGU allows. Some LGUs are already under MGCQ but do not allow yet,” she said.   

Puyat also noted that NCR residents below 18 and over 65 years old are not allowed to travel. 

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“Travelers will also be subject to reasonable restrictions based on age and comorbidities as may be determined by their respective LGU and the reasonable regulations of their destination’s LGU,” the DOT emphasized on their official statement.  

Meanwhile, staycations, indoor visitor or tourist attractions, and indoor venues for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions (MICE) are prohibited under Alert Level 4.

Under the alert level 4 guidelines, outdoor or Alfresco dine-in are also permitted at 30 percent venue capacity while indoor dine-in will be allowed at 10 percent only for fully-vaccinated individuals. 

Also read: BOOK NOW: PH Hotels to Offer Biggest Sale of the Year on Sept 15

Department of Tourism Vaccination Program 

On the other hand, Puyat shared the good news that 99 percent of tourism workers employed in hotels across Metro Manila have been vaccinated.  

“All in all, tourism workers in NCR, including those in DOT-accredited restaurants recorded a 94 percent vaccination rate. This is an added assurance, not only to the safety of our guests, but our tourism workers as well,” she added.

Puyat also explained that point-to-point travel would be allowed as long as essentials such as eating and personal necessities.  

Also read: DOT: Tourism Workers in NCR Vaxxed at 95% Rate