Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 8) — Should Bohol gradually reopen its doors to tourists, only pre-organized tours or events and not ‘do-it-yourself’ trips may be allowed, Governor Arthur Yap announced on Thursday.
“Wala pong do it yourself ngayon. Curated lahat at ihahanda ng tour operators para sa atin,” Yap said in a briefing.
[Translation: There will be no do-it-yourself tours. Everything will be curated and prepared by tour operators.]
Yap said events that could be allowed in the months to come are weddings, family reunions, training activities, and team buildings.
The Bohol governor pointed out that this setup is seen as “appropriate” for Bohol as the COVID-19 crisis drags on.
Yap said they are looking at allowing tourists in Panglao “possibly by November” since their international airport is there. The rest of the province will still be off-limits to visitors to minimize the risk of coronavirus transmission, he said.
He added that there is also plan to embrace the tourism bubble concept of the tourism department, where people from areas with low or no coronavirus cases could travel for leisure, subject to strict protocols.
“As we speak, ang pinagaaralan namin ngayon ay (what we are studying now is), bubble within a bubble,” Yap said.
Possible guidelines
Visitors may have to follow certain rules if they wish to enter Panglao island, the governor stressed.
Initial guidelines include securing a QR code for contact tracing from the Bohol local government’s website before booking a trip, as well as presenting a negative swab test result, two to three days before travel, he said.
Tourists will also have to undergo another polymerase chain reaction test if they plan to stay on the island for more than five days, he added.
Only two tourist spots – Boracay Island and Baguio City – have welcomed back visitors.
