Bohol issues tourists’ 

travel bubble protocols 

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Nov 14 (PIA) –Two days before Bohol opens its doors to further open up its economy by adopting the Department of Tourism (DOT) concept of travel bubble, Governor Arthur Yap sets up the implementing guidelines for the strategy that assures tourists and locals are protected from possible transmission of the dreaded corona virus disease (COVID). 

By Executive Order No. 53, which the governor issued the guidelines which immediately took effect November 13, it formally laid down the requirements for inbound tourists who may come in for meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) and events, with at least 6 attendees from outside the province. 

And by events, the EO states that these include weddings, reunions, anniversaries, birthdays and similar celebrations. 

According to the Executive Order, inbound tourists would need a confirmed booking in an accommodation establishment in Panglao or Dauis, which has acquired a DOT Certificate of Authority to Operate or the Ultimate Bohol Experience (UBE) seal from the Provincial Government. 

Inbound tourists must also be able to present a negative Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) Test from a Department of Health-accredited RT PCR Laboratory, not earlier than 72 hours prior to the date of travel, for them to be allowed entry to Bohol. 

These tourists are strongly advised to observe strict quarantine immediately after undergoing the RT PCR until their travel to Bohol. 

That also means they would have to pre-register through the Bohol Tourist Registration portal via www.tourism.bohol.gov.ph. 

When registered, registrants are given necessary information and instruction on the policies, and assigned a personal Quick Response Code serving as their visitor ID to Bohol. 

While all inbound tourists are mandated to strictly observe health and safety protocols: wear masks, wash hands frequently and keep social or physical distance at all times, upon check-in at the airport, or upon arrival, they will have to present a copy of their negative test results by RT PCR. 

Absent that, they will have to sign an undertaking stating that they will take an RT PCR test upon arrival, and undergo strict quarantine until the negative RT PCR test result is issued. 

Incoming tourists must therefore bring an electronic copy of their documents including the QR Code which would be scanned upon entrance and exit of all visited establishments in Bohol. 

This facilitates contact easier tracing while in Bohol. 

Tourists staying for over five days must undergo a repeat RT PCR on the fifth day of their stay, according to the EO. 

Upon their arrival in Bohol, all tourists would be picked up by the transport service of the accommodation establishment where they will stay. 

Or they can also be picked up by a pre-booked tourist transport service provider who will bring them to their pre-booked accommodation establishments. 

While in transit, stop-overs are not allowed, nor can tourists be allowed to meet friends, relatives, acquaintances outside the tourism bubble. 

For locals who would be joining tourists in meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibits and events will have to be quarantined for 5 days and be tested via RT PCR, and would only be released to go home once they obtain a negative RT PCR result. 

For tourists visiting tourist spots, they can do so, only when these are organized through DOT accredited travel and tour operator, because travel will only be through sites which have UBE seal, and accompanied by DOT accredited tour guides and LGU-licensed community tour guides. 

Stops are only allowed in designated areas and tour operators have to strictly follow pre-set itinerary, never deviating from the same. 

By then, there would be no walk-in tourists, says the EO. 

In cases when a guest exhibits COVID-19 symptoms, he would be immediately isolated and be tested through RT PCR, the tour guide or operator would have the responsibility to contact the medical response team for assessment and care. 

Over-all supervision and monitoring of the Bohol tourist bubble protocols rest upon the Bohol Tourism Office, (rahchiu/PIA-7/Bohol) 

GUIDED TOURS ONLY IN DESIGNATED STOPS. Bohol travel bubble protocols dictate that tourists must at all times wear masks, disinfect and wash hands frequently and practice social distance, all tours organized by DOT accredited travel operators and facilitated by DOT-accredited of LGU licensed tour guides. (rahchiu/PIA_7/Bohol) 

TRAVEL BUBBLE. Groups travel together as one, without swaying away from their designated itinerary, to make sure the group do not mingle with the locals, led by a government accredited guide and driven by a DOT accredited driver in an accredited transport. (rahchiu/PIA-7/Bohol)