DOT eyes foreign tourists this year, Metro Manila's shift to MGCQ in March

Nika Lazo, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/news/02/02/naia.jpg"/><figcaption>Passengers arriving at the NAIA Terminal 1 in Parañaque City wear face masks as a precaution on January 23, 2020, as the country raises the alert to prevent the spread of an undetermined strain of the coronavirus originating from Wuhan, China. <em>Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA - The Department of Tourism (DOT) on Wednesday said it is aiming to open the country to foreign tourists within the year, especially those who have already been vaccinated against COVID-19.</p><p>Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said she hopes that foreign arrivals will be allowed after the government also allowed visiting overseas Filipinos or balikbayans this month.</p><p>&quot;Hoping that this year, especially those vaccinated, we will be able to open up to other countries, and not only confined to balikbayans,&quot; Puyat said during a press conference on Wednesday.</p><p>She added that they are also eyeing Metro Manila&#x27;s shift to the less strict modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) in March to allow freer travel to boost domestic tourism.</p><p>&quot;We should really restart tourism because a lot of people lost their jobs. Mag-1 year na tayo [It&#x27;s almost 1 year already], we know what to do. Metro Manila is placed under GCQ, but MGCQ is freer and tourism can be opened to everybody,&quot; Puyat said.</p><div><strong>Disallow travelers with doubtful COVID test results</strong></div><p>Following reports that some tourists had been faking their swab tests, Romulo called on local government units of famous tourist spots to refuse entry to travelers with doubtful COVID-19 test results.</p><p>&quot;We remind the LGUs that if they are doubtful with the RT PCR, don&#x27;t let them enter. Hahanapin niyo pa, magtatago pa yan...nagging super spreader na siya (If you let them, they will hide and become super spreaders). It&#x27;s really important that the LGUs become more strict,&quot; she said.</p><p>Several travelers to Boracay were found to have faked their RT-PCR test results and now face charges for violating quarantine protocols.</p><p>Puyat said the DOT is already trying to lower the cost of swab tests by partnering with government hospitals. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/12/15/20/dot-to-subsidize-half-of-cost-of-covid-19-test-at-pgh-for-tourists">DOT to subsidize half of cost of COVID-19 test at PGH for tourists</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/12/28/20/dot-partners-with-childrens-hospital-to-subsidize-swab-test-for-travelers">DOT partners with children&#x27;s hospital to subsidize swab test for travelers</a></li></ul><p>&quot;There&#x27;s really no reason for you to fake, unless na positive ka at gusto mo lang pumasok sa Boracay (unless you are positive and really wanted to enter Boracay),&quot; Puyat said. </p><p>&quot;Please be a responsible traveler, especially with COVID. You should not only think of yourself, but also of others,&quot; she added.</p><p>Valenzuela Rep. Wes Gatchalian recently filed a bill that will penalize those who fake RT-PCR tests with imprisonment of 6 to 12 years, and fines of up to P1 million.</p><p>Some of the tourist destinations that are already open to the public include Baguio, Bohol, Boracay, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and El Nido in Palawan.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/02/04/21/ph-lost-p400-b-in-potential-revenue-from-foreign-tourists-in-2020-due-to-covid-19-dot">PH lost P400 B in potential revenue from foreign tourists in 2020 due to COVID-19: DOT</a></li></ul><div><br/><strong> RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/veVA1iSHB54?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div><div> </div>

<p>The Department of Tourism (DOT) on Wednesday said it is aiming to open the country to foreign tourists within the year, especially those who have already been vaccinated against COVID-19.<br /> </p>

The Department of Tourism (DOT) on Wednesday said it is aiming to open the country to foreign tourists within the year, especially those who have already been vaccinated against COVID-19.

DOT eyes foreign tourists this year, Metro Manila's shift to MGCQ in March | ABS-CBN

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DOT eyes foreign tourists this year, Metro Manila's shift to MGCQ in March

DOT eyes foreign tourists this year, Metro Manila's shift to MGCQ in March

Nika Lazo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Feb 17, 2021 05:24 PM PHT

|

Updated Feb 17, 2021 05:42 PM PHT

Read More:

Department of Tourism

DOT

travel

tourism

domestic tourism

foreign arrivals

balikbayan

OFWs

overseas Filipinos

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