Puerto Galera will also receive fully vaccinated tourists even if they no longer show a negative swab test. In addition, those who have not been fully vaccinated can get antigen tests for free.
“Kapag fully vaccinated na po ang aming mga turista hindi na po kailangan ng RT-PCR,” according to Carmela Datinguinoo, municipal administrator of Puerto Galera in the Laging Handa public briefing,
Free antigen tests will be conducted on those not vaccinated at the Batangas City Grand Terminal.
Datinguinoo also said that the beneficiaries of the free antigen tests would include residents of Puerto Galera.
An estimated 1,000 tourists visit Puerto Galera every day.
As of Monday, Puerto Galera has only five active COVID-19 cases.
Datinguinoo also said that 100% of the economic frontliners in their area, including tourism workers, have been fully vaccinated.
Marinduque removes COVID test requirement for vaccinated travelers
Travelers entering or leaving Marinduque are no longer required to present a COVID-19 test result if they have been vaccinated against the disease.
This was announced by Governor Presbitero Velasco Jr. in a radio interview this Sunday.
It also gave consideration to residents leaving the province. As long as you return immediately within three days, you will not be asked for a COVID-19 test result.
“’Yun pong mga residents dito na lalabas, kung hindi ho bakunado, hanggang 3 days ho na puwede kayong bumalik na hindi maga-antigen. Tapos ho, ‘pag lumagpas ang 3 araw, dahil hindi ho bakunado ay magpapa-antigen na po,” he said.
“At yung fully vaccinated, kahit lumabas ‘yan at magtagal ng ilang araw sa labas, hindi na natin ire-require na mag-antigen, ‘yung fully vaccinated.”
The official clarified that he needs a valid reason, whether authorized person outside residence or non-APOR, why he is going to Marinduque.
The rural health unit at the port will also undergo an examination to ensure that no one has any symptoms of the disease.
“Kasi ho sa MGCQ, essential travel pa rin ho kailangan. [Dapat may] special reason kung bakit ho kayo babalik,” said Velasco.
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