Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 12) — Bohol is set to reopen to tourists on December 15, but there are strict policies that prospective visitors need to know before booking their flights to the island province, Gov. Arthur Yap said Saturday.
Yap told CNN Philippines in an interview that they are initially welcoming visitors on Panglao Island, where the international airport is located.
“By December 15, bubuksan na namin ang Bohol, at least ‘yung Panglao, kung saan nandoon ‘yung airport,”
[Translation: We are opening Bohol, at least Panglao, where the airport is.]
Here are the requirements for those who are planning to go to Bohol:
Test before travel
Yap said that visitors must present a negative result on a swab test taken at least 72 hours before coming to Bohol.
He reminded tourists that the gold standard RT-PCR must be conducted by an accredited COVID-19 laboratory. He added they have a mechanism to check if the test result is valid.
Pre-arranged booking and tours
Visitors must also book transportation services and accommodations, as well as organize their tours with accredited providers ahead of their planned visit to the island. Yap said they are not allowing “do-it-yourself” trips for now to reduce the risk of coronavirus transmission in the province.
The governor said pre-registrations and all bookings shall be made online via tourism.bohol.gov.ph.
Other reminders
Yap said that only those who do not have flu-like symptoms will be allowed to enter Bohol. Symptom checks will be carried out prior to and upon arrival at Panglao Airport.
Asymptomatic tourists will be transported by an accredited service provider to a tourism establishment of their choice.
The local government is also not allowing stopovers between the airport and hotel/resort.
Quarantine guidelines
Visitors with a five-day booking are not required to go through quarantine, the LGU said.
But those staying in Bohol for more than six days shall undergo another RT-PCR test on the fifth day of stay. Those who test positive shall be brought to an isolation facility where they will be quarantined for 14 days. The costs for quarantine and swab test will be shouldered by the tourist.
