IATF OKs staycations in areas under GCQ

When was the last time you had a staycation?

“Staycations” will soon be allowed in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) as the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) gave its approval to jumpstart tourism activities in the country amid the coronavirus disease pandemic.

DOT ALLOWS LIMITED STAYCATION

The Department of Tourism (DOT) said staycations will be allowed in a minimum of overnight stay for leisure purposes in a DOT-accredited enterprise within the area of one’s residence.

“For instance, residents of the NCR can staycation within NCR subject to the requirements of the local government unit (LGU),” Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said.

Puyat said the tourism department would soon issue a memorandum circular on staycations under GCQ based on the comments and suggestions made by the IATF.

The memorandum circular would have specific regulations on all aspects involved in this activity which includes the maximum allowable number of persons in a guestroom and the use of ancillary services, such as restaurants and recreational areas.

A certification of authority to operate must be secured by all accommodation establishments from the DOT.

IATF to release guidelines on ’staycations’

The JTF COVID-19 Shield Commander said the Inter-Agency Task Force, through the Department of Tourism, will be releasing guidelines on “staycations” in areas under general community quarantine.

He stressed that only those who live in the same city, province, or area are allowed to book staycations in hotels.

“Kung ‘yung mga hotel na ‘yan, eh, sa Metro Manila, taga-Metro Manila ka… Sa probinsya, taga-du’n ka sa probinsya,” Eleazar emphasized.

As of now, there are no restrictions for travel within Metro Manila and other highly urbanized areas, he said.

In a separate briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said hotels in GCQ areas are allowed to offer "basic accommodation services" to guests through an in-house staff.

"Talaga pong unti-unti nating binubuksan ang ating ekonomiya," Roque said. "Ito pong pinaplano ng DOT ay alinsunod naman sa pagbubukas ng sektor ng turismo."

Roque noted that this "marks the beginning of the reopening of the tourism industry in Metro Manila."

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"Let's give it a chance," he said. "Pwede naman pong pag-ingatan ang buhay para makapaghanapbuhay ang lahat."

With the restart of local tourism, the IATF moved to allow “staycations” in areas under less stricter quarantine measures or GCQ on September 11.

Earlier, President Rodrigo Duterte's economic team asked the IATF to allow more industries to reopen for business and increase the allowed capacity for mass transit, so that more people can return to work.

TRAVEL PASS FOR TAGAYTAY

Last week, Tagaytay LGU has opened their tourism after a 6-month break. The LGU did not require visitors to bring any travel requirements such as travel authority since the city including the whole Cavite is under MGCQ. However, a travel authority is still a requirement for non-Cavite residents who wish to visit Tagaytay City, Joint Task Force COVID-19 Shield Commander Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said on Monday.

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