Cebu to accept unvaxed tourists but…

The Mactan-Cebu International Airport.| file photo

CEBU CITY, Philippines – Starting Thursday, February 10, 2022, the Philippines will be accepting fully vaccinated tourists without requiring them to undergo quarantine. 

Here in Cebu, the local government will also be accepting unvaccinated and partially vaccinated foreign travelers under several conditions. 

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia on Thursday, February 9, issued Executive Order (EO) No. 3-2022 to serve as the province’s guidelines in welcoming foreign tourists. 

Based on Garcia’s newest EO, unvaccinated and partially vaccinated foreign tourists may enter the country via the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) but they shall comply with several requirements. 

First, they will have to present negative RT-PCR test results taken within 48 hours prior to the departure from their country of origin. 

Second, they will also undergo mandatory swab-upon-arrival at the airport. 

Third, they will be required to stay in a mandatory facility-based quarantine. On the 5th day of their quarantine, they will be subjected another round of swab test.

They will only be released if the test results of their swab taken on the 5th day show they are negative of the infection. 

On the other hand, Cebu province will also be offering unvaccinated foreign travelers the option to get jabbed with a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine. 

“Unvaccinated foreign nationals are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated during their stay in Cebu. The single dose Jansen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine shall be made available by the Department of Health for unvaccinated foreign nationals,” portions of the EO stated. 

After two years in lockdown, the Philippines reopens its borders to fully vaccinated foreign tourists from at least 157 countries. 

They will no longer undergo mandatory quarantine as long as they can show proof of their vaccination status, and negative RT-PCR test results taken within 48 hours prior to their departure. 

Should foreign travelers manifest any symptom of COVID-19 during their stay in Cebu, the Capitol required them to report to the establishments where they are staying, and take RT-PCR or Rapid Antigen Test.

Those who will test positive for the infection will undergo isolation. 

Cebu is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country, playing host to various famous activities including canyoneering, diving, and whale-shark watching.

Based on the 2019 figures from DOT, the island-province attracted approximately 1.7 million foreign tourists. 

DOT even ranked Cebu, including the three large cities of Cebu, Mandaue, and Lapu-Lapu, as the most visited place that year. 

Tourism is also considered one of its biggest industries. 

/bmjo

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