Boracay to Ditch Swab Test Upon Entry Starting Nov. 16

Tourists visiting Boracay starting next week no longer need to present a confirmatory RT-PCR swab test as long as they are fully vaccinated, according to Aklan Governor Florencio Miraflores.

In an interview with ABS-CBN’s Teleradyo on Nov. 12, Miraflores said in lieu of the RT-PCR swab test, visitors will only need to submit a vaccination certificate or VaxCertPH from the Department of Health’s website or present their vaccination card with a QR code from their issuing local government unit (LGU). The relaxed protocols will take effect starting Nov. 16.

In the absence of these two, tourists may secure a vaccination certificate from their issuing LGU.

Unvaccinated tourists and those who have only received one shot of a two-dose vaccine will still need to present a negative RT-PCR swab test result to gain entry, according to Miraflores.

He also stressed that the vaccination card should contain the QR code for easier validation.

Seventy percent of workers in Boracay have already received their first dose, while 94% have completed the full vaccine regimen, Miraflores added.

Other tourist landmarks in the country like Baguio have also waived the RT-PCR or antigen swab test if the travelers are already fully vaccinated.