Malacañang appealed to local tourists to observe the minimum health standards when visiting local attractions as the country moves to reopen the tourism industry after months of lockdown.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque made the statement after the Department of Tourism (DoT) began flagging social mass gatherings in tourist spots following the reopening of some attractions to local tourists.
Asked how the government can better implement health protocols, Roque said that Filipinos should strictly follow the rules set to prevent the spread of COVID-19 while the tourism industry is slowly opening up.
“Talaga pong ang tanging paraan para mapatupad itong lahat ng mga minimum health protocols ay ang pagsunod ng lahat ng mga Filipino,” he said Thursday.
Roque explained that the country is now opening local attractions to allow those working in the tourism industry to make a living.
However, he said this does not mean that the people should go around not wearing their masks, not washing their hands, and not keeping their distance.
“Kaya po natin binubuksan ang turismo, napakadami na pong nagugutom sa sektor na iyan,” he said.
“Pero hindi po ibig sabihin babalewalain na natin iyong mga napatunayan nang pamamaraan para mapabagal po ang pagkalat ng COVID-19,” he added, referring to the government’s slogan “Mask, Hugas, Iwas.”
Last month, the DoT said that the Philippines is looking at setting up travel bubble arrangements with its neighboring countries as they begin to ease travel restrictions after imposing COVID-19 lockdowns.
In an interview with ANC, Tourism Undersecretary Bong Benzon said the DoT has already done some preparatory work “more or less which destination in Southeast Asia or at least in Asia will be part of the travel bubble program.” (Argyll Geducos)