Boracay IATF OKs saliva test for tourists

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — Tourists now have the option to present a negative saliva-based reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test to enter Boracay.

The Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force (BIATF) approved the use of saliva test during its meeting yesterday in a bid to attract more tourists.

”We are happy to report that our proposal to use saliva test has been approved by the BIATF. This will take effect immediately,” Aklan Gov. Florencio Miraflores told a virtual press briefing.

”We will issue the appropriate order to airline companies... but limited only to Boracay tourists,” Miraflores said.

The saliva RT-PCR test, which costs around P2,000, is cheaper compared to swab RT-PCR test, which costs between P3,800 to P5,000.

The BIATF clarified that it would accept results of saliva testing administered only by the Philippine Red Cross and other laboratories accredited by the Food and Drug Administration and Department of Health (DOH).

The Department of Tourism (DOT) welcomed the BIATF decision even as it urged the IATF to allow persons below 15 and above 65 to travel to Boracay.

The DOT stressed the need to strictly implement minimum health and safety protocols to protect tourism, tourism workers and residents of host communities.

The agency said it would support funding for an RT-PCR or gene expert machine if asked by the Malay local government.

Tourist arrivals increase

The spike in COVID-19 cases failed to discourage tourists from visiting Boracay, data from the Malay tourism office show.

An increase of over five percent in tourist arrivals was recorded in the past week, with 5,492 visitors from March 8 to March 14. At least 6,387 have visited the island in the first two weeks of this month.

More than half of the tourists are from Metro Manila followed by Aklan, Rizal, Cavite and Laguna.

As of March 10, the DOT had authorized 219 business establishments in Boracay to resume operations.

Baguio wants testing again

Meanwhile, in Baguio, tourists and returning residents are required again to submit a negative result for COVID-19.

Travelers should present either a negative RT-PCR or antigen test result taken 72 hours prior their arrival.

The city government reminded tourists to process their applications a day prior their arrival.

Individuals with no quick response code will be denied entry. – Elijah Felice Rosales, Elizabeth Marcelo