As the City of Baguio is set to open for tourists from Region 1, the city has released the “Guidelines for the Ridge & Reef (RnR) Baguio – Region 1 Travel Corridor” today, September 18, 2020.  

Ridge & Reef or the BLUPISIN Travel Corridor

The RnR Travel Corridor or the BLUPISIN Travel Corridor covered and will be implemented in the following Local Government Units (LGUs): 

• Baguio City
• Pangasinan
• La Union
• Ilocos Sur
• Ilocos Norte

[UPDATE] September 22, 2020

Baguio City Mayor Magalong stated during the Laging Handa Press Briefing last September 21, 2020 that the actual full execution of the opening of the city to tourists from Region 1 will probably happen next week. 

In addition, the RnR Travel Corridor shall commence with the launching in Baguio City of its OVRS and Travel Programs on September 22, 2020, and other LGUs shall launch in succession on specified dates until October.  And the implementation of the BLUPISIN alliance and the RnR Travel Corridor shall be in effect until unanimously rescinded by the allied LGUs.

3 Phases of RnR Travel Corridor 

The Travel Corridor will be launched in three phases:

Phase 1

Phase 1/ Intra-Corridor Travel is projected for the first  1 or 2 months. And, under Phase 1, limited meantime to the following tourist towns and cities:

• Baguio City
• La Union – San Juan, Bauang, San Gabriel
• Pangasinan – Manaoag, Alaminos City, Bolinao
• Ilocos Sur – Vigan, Bantay, Caoayan
• Ilocos Norte – Badoc, Currimao, Paoay, Batac, Laoag, Pasuiquin, Burgos, Banguip, Pagudpod, Adams, Sarrat, Vintar

Types of Tours

These are the types of tours allowed under Phase 1 arranged by DOT accredited local tour operators assisted by DOT and LGU Tourism Offices: 

• Organized tour programs, featuring up to 5-day tours featuring mini-circuits within provinces
• Pre-arranged “staycations” or “workations” (work at hotels/resorts), with stays longer than five days
• Weddings or small events destinations (less than 5 days)

Note: In the meantime, day tours (those not staying overnight) and DIY (do-it-yourself) tours are not allowed during Phase 1. Set guidelines will be issued prior to the implementation of Phase 2.

RnR Guidelines for Tourists:

The following guidelines are effective for Phase 1 and onwards until amended or modified:

Who is allowed to Travel?

For the initial period of Phase 1, travel for leisure will be restricted, generally allowing only those that are asymptomatic.

Who is Not Allowed to Travel?

The following are NOT ALLOWED to travel  to the Baguio-Pangasinan-La Union-Ilocos Sur-Ilocos Norte (BLUPISIN) Travel Corridor:

• Senior individuals, who are 60 years of age and above (may be modified any time with the advice from medical and health agencies).

• Pregnant women.
• Individuals with existing high-risk health conditions and comorbidities as follows:
  • Cancer
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
  • Immunocompromised state
  • Obesity
  • Serious heart conditions
  • Diabetes
  • Asthma
  • Cerebrovascular disease
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Hypertension
  • Neurologic Conditions
  • Liver disease
• Children who have medical complexity, neurologic, genetic, metabolic conditions, or who have congenital heart disease.

• Tourists from outside BLUPISIN (until the travel corridor shall be expanded during Phase 2 or 3).
• On a first-come-first-served basis, tourist registrants beyond the limit of 200 per day for Baguio City will also not be allowed, and 50 per day for Region 1, until limit is modified, or unless the tourist registers another available travel date/s.

Guidelines Before Travel

1. Testing Requirements

• COVID-19 testing shall be using the methods as prescribed by DOH guidelines with accredited testing centers from point of origin.
• The test must be taken 24 to 48 hours prior to travel and subject to another test on the 6th day, especially if tourist/s stays longer. When available, with proper coordination with destination tourism office, testing on-site upon arrival at entry processing centers will remain an option for tourists, but with required affidavit of undertaking, and the possibility of medical procedures at the expense of the tourist when COVID-19 test results turn out to be positive.

2. Arrange Travel with DOT-accredited Tour Operators

• Arrange travel with DOT-accredited tour operators or travel agents, confirming the following:
  • pre-arranged transportation (if not using a private vehicle),
  • itinerary and
  • accommodation;NOTE: Such tourism services must be by DOT-accredited establishments and were issued the necessary Certificate of Authority to Operate (CAO) by DOT and/or other concerned agencies.
• If intended travel is strictly for hotel/resort staycation only, tourist/s may book directly with hotels, BUT once tourist/s decide to go out on a tour, it must be coordinated with a DOT accredited tour operator or tour guide.

3. Register an individual account online via the LGU destination’s Online Visitors Registration System (OVRS)

[UPDATE]
To register, visit Baguio Visitor Information & Travel Assistance (VISITA), the city’s online visitors’ registration system, at visita.baguio.gov.ph.
• Each traveler, of any age, must have an individual visitor account, with minors’ registration assisted by a parent or legal guardian; each account must upload the following:
  • Government-issued ID, preferably Passport second page
    • For minors: school ID or parent/legal guardian’s ID can be uploaded
  • Current Photo

4. Schedule visit and register travel date/s online via the same OVRS

Schedule visit and register travel date/s online via the same OVRS, filling out required travel information and health declaration, uploading the following required documents:

• Confirmed Itinerary as issued by Accredited Tour Operator (travelers on staycation only are exempted)
• Accommodation Booking Receipt
• Most Recent COVID-19 Test (current prescribed method by DOH)
• Result as issued by Accredited Testing Centers.

5. Approval and Confirmation of Travel

• If all requirements had been complied, depending on the OVRS, an automatically generated unique QR-coded Tourist Pass (QTP) will be issued, or an email confirmation shall be sent with a link to your unique QTP, which can be downloaded either for saving or printing.
• Save a digital e-copy or printed hardcopy of the issued QTP that will serve as Health Declaration ID and travel pass in all border checkpoints, accommodation establishments, and tourism-related establishments and sites.

Guidelines During Travel

• Each traveler must always have with them their uploaded documents either saved e-copies or printed hard copies, together with the QTP.
• Tourists can only use pre-determined safe pitstops along the travel corridor of BLUPISIN for purposes of stopovers for eating and personal necessities. No side-trips or stop-overs will be allowed in areas not listed as safe pitstops, which must be DOT-accredited establishments.
• Health protocols shall be conducted in every pitstop, such as temperature check and digital check in/out.

Upon Arrival to Destination

• Present QTP and documents in the Tourist One-Stop-Shop (TOSS) or Triage and Testing Centers (TTC) in the borders or in LGU-designated areas.
• In the designated TOSS or TTC, follow processes for validation of health declaration by health officers who will, if only necessary, recommend further tests, such as X-Ray and confirmatory COVID-19 tests.
• For those who will undergo COVID-19 testing, tourist/s shall wait for results, depending on turnaround time, either at the TOSS/TTC or at the hotel/accommodation in isolation. Tourist can only start their itinerary after negatives results are released. If results turn out to be positive, the patient will be subjected to health protocols as per local health officers’ advice.
• Upon clearance from the TOSS or TTC, tourist/s shall have an updated account profile in the OVRS so they can immediately proceed to their pre-booked hotel.

Upon Check-in

• Present QTP to the accommodation front desk for digital check-in. Accommodation establishments will be able to check through the process if guest/s have confirmed booking and have undergone triage. Guest/s may be advised to return to the TOSS/TTC if found to have been skipped.
• Digital check-in/out must always be done whenever the tourist goes in and out of the accommodation facility. Regular temperature check, other sanitation protocols and mandated SOPs for accommodation establishments shall be done and complied with whenever coming back from tourism establishments and tourist sites.
• Guests staying for “staycations” or “workations” must stay in the accommodation premises during the entirety of their stay.

During Guided Tour

• Tourists are allowed only in the establishments or sites that are DOT-accredited and issued with CAOs by DOT or concerned agencies, as part of the confirmed itinerary, to be accompanied by an accredited tour guide. Any modifications to the itinerary must be coordinated with the tour operator or tour guide.
• Tourists must check-in/out in tourism establishments and tourist sites through the check-in/out module of OVRS for contact tracing purposes; health protocols such as temperature check and wearing of face masks shall be required.
• For tourists on staycation and might want to go out to tour, they can only do so when arranged by tour operator or tour guide.

During Transition to a Next Town/City Destination

During Transition to a next Town/City Destination (as part of a circuit for Phase 2 and 3, until there is a unified OVRS):

• If the tour program includes another destination as part of a tour circuit, tourist/s must register to the next destination’s OVRS prior to transit. Such registration can be facilitated by tour operators or travel agents.
• Another QTP shall be issued for travel to another destination.

Protocols for Critical Health Care

• Re-tests using RT-PCR or other types allowed by DOH, shall be required when the following occurs:
  • When tourist extends stay or proceeds to another destination on the 6th day after the first negative test results.
  • When tourist starts to manifest symptoms for COVID-19.
  • When tourist deviates from the itinerary without coordination and/or cannot be contacted by tour operator or tour guide within four (4) hours. In such case, assistance by PNP may be sought.
• For the above circumstances, if the test result turns out to be positive, the patient is turned over to health care officials, who shall advise and recommend health management procedures depending on the official diagnosis.
• Expenses born out of additional health protocol requirements shall be at the expense of the tourist.

During Re-entry to Hometown or Home Province

• Re-entries to point of origin or home province or town shall be subjected to the LGU’s existing prescribed protocols and requirements such as mandated testing or mandated home quarantine.
• No LGU shall deny their own returning residents of re-entry when entering as positive with COVID-19. Proper health care management shall be provided by the local health care officials.

Guidelines For Tourists  Establishments

Guidelines for Accommodation Establishments

• Accommodation Establishments shall comply with the DOT Memorandum Circular No. 2020-002-A: Amended Health and Safety Guidelines Governing the Operation of Accommodation Establishments of Accommodation Establishments under the New Normal.  Non-compliance shall be grounds for revocation or suspension of CAO and/or business permit.
• Accommodation establishments shall ensure that during their guest’s first digital check-in the guest’s profile in the OVRS is updated to have undergone triage. Subsequently, the guest is digitally checked-in/out every entry/exit.

Guidelines for Restaurants

• Restaurants and food establishments shall comply with the DOT Memorandum Circular No. 2020-004: Guidelines Governing the Operation of DOT Accredited Restaurants. Non-compliance shall be grounds for revocation or suspension of CAO and/or business permit.
• Restaurants and food establishments shall ensure that guest/s is/are digitally checked-in/out every entry/exit.

Guidelines for Tourist Shops

• As much as possible, shopping in crowded areas such as public markets and shops shall be discouraged to tourists. Tour operators or tour guides may assist in the purchase of local goods and souvenirs. Tourist Shops shall comply with DOT, DTI and DOH issuances.
• Tourist and souvenir shops shall ensure that guest/s is/are digitally checked in/out every entry/exit.

Guidelines For Tourist Sites

It will be based on minimum public health protocols from DOH.

• Beaches and Island Destinations
• Heritage Culture & Arts Sites
• Nature & Farms
• Weddings and Small Events Destinations
• Public Spaces
• Pitstops

Guidelines For Tour Operators and Tour Guides

• Tour operators, travel agents and tour guides shall conform and comply with basic ethical and professional standards set forth in their DOT accreditation; and utmost hospitality standards when providing services to travelers. Non-compliance shall be grounds for revocation or suspension of accreditation and/or business license.  (based on DOT issuances and ethical standards of practice)

• Tour guides serve as safety officers for guests, thus will have the responsibility to ensure that reminders and alerts on required safety protocols are aptly and timely given to guests.
• Tour guides must present a negative COVID-19 test result to the local Tourism Office or DOT Regional Office prior to deployment. It is strongly advised that a cycle of 4-day work and 10-day quarantine, be observed. In no case that a tour guide shall be deployed if manifesting COVID-19 symptoms.

For Provincial TOSSs & TTCs 

• Tourist One-Stop-Shop (TOSS) and Triage and Testing Centers (TCC) facilities shall comply with DOH-approved health protocols, in terms of procedures and testing capacity, including but not limited to, use of appropriate PPEs and barrier shields and scheduled sanitation cycle.
• TOSS and TCC attendants and security personnel must ensure utmost hospitality standards and due courtesy when dealing with guests.
• TOSS and TCC must have appropriate and easily readable signages, markers and reminders for guests and visitors.
• An adequate space for parking and comfortable waiting areas must be provided.

For Towns/ Cities 

Readiness Criteria

Destination Towns/Cities must ensure at all times that provisions for readiness are adequate. The following are the basic readiness factors:

• Functional OVRS
• Operational TOSS and TTC
• TOEs and TREs DOT Accreditation and Compliance
• DOT-approved Tour Programs and Packages
• Efficient Border Management System
• Sufficient Information and Educational Campaign

Health Care Capacity must be adequate, following the criteria set by IATF and DOH:

• Presence of Epidemiology and Surveillance Officer
• Adequate Contact Tracing Personnel
• Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams
• Testing Laboratory Trained Testing Staff
• Functionalization of Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit
• Temporary Treatment and Monitoring Facility (TTMF)
• Isolation Beds in the TTMF’
• Ambulatory Transport Mechanism and Emergency Response Capacity
• Transport Vehicle for COVID-19 Specimen
• Funeral Home for COVID-19 Deaths

Sustainability and Environmental Impact

• LGUs must ensure that public and private spaces and establishments observe and adhere to principles of responsible and sustainable tourism.
• LGU’s must ensure efficient waste management systems in tourist sites, public spaces and general community.
• A particular destination town/city or specific tourist attraction may be temporarily excluded for the following reasons:
  • Destination is deemed not ready by the local government and DOT Regional Office as assessed using set readiness criteria.
  • Destination town/city experiences spike in COVID-19 positive cases to a highrisk level (akin to second wave) or localized outbreak as confirmed by local government, National AITF or DOH Regional Office.

Phase 2

Phase 2 / Expanded Travel Corridor is projected to start 1 or 2 months after launch. Under, phase 2, destinations within the corridor may increase.

Types of Tours

It is the same as phase 1 but tour programs may increase with expanded circuit destinations that can be multi-province and for more than five (5) days.

• Organized tour programs
• Featuring up to 5-day tours featuring mini-circuits within provinces
• Pre-arranged “staycations” or “workations” (work at hotels/resorts)
• With stays longer than five days
• Weddings or small events destinations (less than 5 days); as arranged by DOT accredited local tour operators assisted by DOT and LGU Tourism Offices.

Phase 3

Phase 3/ Sub-national Inter-travel is projected to start on the 3rd or 4th month after the launch.  Under phase 3, for the tour destinations, tour programs and circuits may be enhanced and town destinations within the bubble can increase.

Types of tours

• Day tours and DIY (do-it-yourself) travels can be accommodated, but with separate guidelines to be issued. 

Source: PIO-City of Baguio