THE Department of Tourism (DOT) yesterday urged its partners in the tourism industry to strictly enforce the health and safety protocols as travels for all ages is now permitted with the easing of restrictions in the National Capital Region (NCR) Plus to Boracay and other modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) destinations.

At the same time, the DOT issued a stern warning to tourists against forging their RT-PCR tests, faking of identification cards, and holding of unauthorized gatherings in tourist destinations in various parts of the country.

The DOT enjoins its partners in the tourism industry to strictly enforce the health and safety protocols and to put paramount importance on the safety of the guests, the tourism workforce, and the host community, the DOT said.

Tourism officials reiterated that it is imperative that all stakeholders —government agencies, the local government units (LGUs), private tourism enterprises, guests, and other industry players— will work together to ensure the swift recovery of the tourism industry.

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) had allowed the movement of persons traveling in and out of NCR Plus (Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal) from June 1 to 15. This was extended up to June 30.

President Rodrigo Duterte announced earlier this week that NCR Plus would remain under general community quarantine (GCQ) with varying degrees of restrictions.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Cristina Lee-Pisco