Leisure travel is now allowed from NCR+ to MGCQ areas
For folks living in NCR+ areas, the good news that many have been waiting for is finally here. The Interagency Task Force on Emerging Infections Diseases (IATF) and the Department of Tourism (DOT) have now been allowing leisure travel for all ages from the NCR+ to MGCQ areas and vice versa since 1st June.
This comes with the government’s latest announcement on the quarantine classification for the month of June, which places NCR+ areas (Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal) under a General Community Quarantine (GCQ) with restrictions from 1st June to 15th June.
Travel must be point-to-point only
Matukad Island, Bicol
Image credit: Rennyl Montuya
Travel, however, must be limited to point-to-point journeys, which means that while stopovers are allowed for eating and personal necessities, side trips to other tourism destinations are not permitted.
Those below 18 and above 65 years old will also be required to take an RT-PCR COVID-19 test before they travel. If the destination of choice requires it, those between 18 to 65 years old must also show a negative RT-PCR test before their visit. The Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force (BIATF), for example, still requires all prospective travelers to take a COVID-19 test and present a negative result.
Major tourist sites are now under MGCQ
Aside from NCR+, Baguio City, Kalinga, Abra, Mountain Province, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Batangas, Quezon, Iligan City, Davao City, Lanao del Sur, and Cotabato City have been also classified as GCQ areas, but they are under the quarantine classification until 30th June.
Santiago City, Cagayan, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Puerto Princesa, Iloilo City, Cagayan de Oro City, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, Butuan City, and Agusan del Sur have been placed under the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) from 1st June to 15th June.
Image credit: Wikimedia Commons
The rest of the country, including major areas where major tourist sites such as Boracay, Cebu, and Siargao can be found, have been put under a Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) for the entire month of June.
Leisure travel is now open for all ages from NCR+ to MGCQ areas
More than a year of working or studying from home is no joke – so take a breather surrounded by the natural wonders outdoors if you must.
Let’s all remain safe by following social distancing protocols while enjoying our leisure travels.
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Cover image adapted from: @henannresortbohol, @donatela.hotel