The rehabilitation that took place in Boracay made me want to visit the famed island again. When it reopened to tourists in October 2020, I booked a family trip. But, typhoon came after another, and quarantine classification in National Capital Region (NCR) kept on changing. After 3 attempts, we have finally set foot in Boracay.
Nowadays, traveling will never be the same as travelers are expected to comply with the rules and regulations set by the Local Government Unit (LGU) to ensure a safe and fun vacation. Here I will share about my recent experience.
Who can visit
Tourists from the NCR+ bubble (Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal) and other areas under General Community Quarantine (GCQ) or Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) are welcome in Boracay.
Booking a flight
Some recommend to book a flight once assured of a negative COVID-19 test result. It’s not what I did though. Just like prepandemic times, I secured a flight first. This way, I could choose the most convenient time for my family. I made sure that rebooking or cancelation is applicable in case one of us tested positive. Take note that all tourists traveling to Boracay by air should enter via Caticlan.
Booking an accommodation
Next, I booked an accommodation at Crimson Resort and Spa Boracay. The Boracay government has released a list of accredited hotels to select from. Nowadays, most hotels don’t charge your reservation at the time of booking. It’s for a hassle-free rebooking or cancelation if RT-PCR result is positive or if travel restriction is suddenly implemented.
Booking an RT-PCR test
A strict test-before-travel policy is in place before entering Boracay. Negative RT-PCR test result taken within 72 hours of expected arrival will be presented. Either swab or saliva test should be done in accredited laboratories. We did our test in Philippine Red Cross.
Before the trip
Make sure to secure the following:
- Confirmed flight with return
- Confirmed accommodation accredited by Department of Tourism (DOT), inclusive of island transfers
- Negative COVID-19 test result
- Health declaration form with QR code
- Approved S-paSS Travel Coordination Permit with QR code
Health declaration form
Visit https://www.touristboracay.com/ to access the Boracay health declaration form. Tourist will need to disclose personal information, valid I.D., flight details, hotel details and travel history. After submitting the health declaration form, I took a screen shot of the acknowledgement page as instructed. Together with the RT-PCR test results, flight booking, hotel confirmation and valid I.D., I sent them to touristboracay@gmail.com. After 6 hours, I received all 4 health declaration forms with QR code.
Tip: Printed copy or screenshot is accepted.
S-paSS
Safe, Swift & Smart passage or S-paSS is a recently launched mobile application created for Filipino travelers. While the health declaration form will be used for COVID-19 contact tracing purposes, the S-paSS is a travel management system for travelers to access information on the travel policies of the LGUs. First, check the area of destination if classification is ‘restricted’ or ‘unrestricted’. If restricted like Malay, Aklan, a Travel Coordination permit (TCP) should be applied as early as possible.
Tip: Printed copy or screenshot is accepted.
During the trip
At Godofredo P Ramos Airport, we were asked to present our tourist QR code, the ones on the health declaration form. While in Boracay, you may encounter random health safety protocol checks especially when using public transportation. Keep the QR code handy at all times. Also, you may be asked to present it when going in restaurants. As to the S-paSS, it was asked only at the time of airport check in from Manila to Caticlan.
In spite of the add on preparations when traveling these days, remember to enjoy the trip!
Thanks for reading and safe travels!
With ❤️, Sugar
