Travel

Ilocos Norte Also Opens its Doors for Tourists from Luzon, Here are the Guidelines




“Luzon, Welcome to Ilocos Norte!” announced Matthew Joseph Marcos Manotoc, Governor of Ilocos Norte, on October 13, 2020 through a Facebook post.  “… we issue EO 98-20 establishing the guidelines for the second phase of the reopening of tourism in Ilocos Norte guided by the principles of being safe, gradual, and regulated,” added the governor.

Through Executive Order No. 98-20, Series of 2020, an order establishing the Guidelines for the Second Phase of the Reopening of Tourism in the Province of Ilocos Norte, the guidelines for all tourists, among other guidelines, has been revealed.

Ilocos Norte Also Opens its Doors for Tourists from Luzon

On September 1, 2020, the City of Baguio, Province of La Union, Pangasinan, Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte (BLUPISIN) have executed a Memorandum of Understanding, in cooperation with the Department of Tourism and attached agencies, to promote safe travel in their respective territorial jurisdiction.

Furthermore, on October 1, 2020 Ilocos Norte has reopened its tourism limited to the provinces of Region 1 and Baguio City, under the Ridge and Reef Travel Corridor with a set of guidelines and facilities that support safe leisure travel.

And beginning October 15, 2020, tourists from the entire Luzon may already make their way to Ilocos Norte.

Ilocos Norte Guidelines for All Tourists

Here are the Guidelines for All Tourists as provided in Section 3 of the Executive Order No. 98-20, Series of 2020:

Expanded Travel Corridor

In the second phase of the expanded tourism corridor starting October 15, 2020, tourists from the entire Luzon, composed of Region 1, 2, 3, IVA, IVB, V, CAR and NCR (including Metro Manila), are welcome to Ilocos Norte.

Tourists Allowed

Persons from Luzon are allowed to enter the province except those mentioned under Section 1 (A) Nos. 1-3.

  • 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.

Fifty (50) slots per day will be given to tourists until the limit is modified. Tourists who book first will be given priority.

Protocols to Be Strictly Followed

Before Travel

  • Each tourist traveling from areas under General Community Quarantine (GCQ) or Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) with increased risk of transmission, as identified by IATF, must undergo RT-PCR Test with the swab collected within 72 hours of entry to Ilocos Norte and Rapid Antigen Test upon arrival. Tourists are strongly encouraged to undergo RT-PCR testing as close to their entry to Ilocos Norte as possible.
  • Each tourist traveling from areas under Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) without an increased risk of transmission, as identified by IATF, is recommended to undergo an RT-PCR Test with the collection of swab within 72 hours of entry to Ilocos Norte. Alternatively, the tourist can take a Rapid Antigen Test within 30 hours of arrival. Tourists are strongly encouraged to take their RT-PCR or Rapid Antigen Test as close to their entry to Ilocos Norte as possible.
Point of Origin Before Arrival Arrival

(1st Day)

4th Day 9th Day 14th Day
GCQ and MGCQ with increased risk as per IATF (except Baguio) Option 1 RT-PCR (sample taken within 72 hours of arrival) Antigen Antigen Antigen Antigen
Option 2 Antigen Test (within 30 hours of arrival) RT-PCR Antigen Antigen Antigen
MGCQ without increased risk as per IATF RT-PCR (sample taken within 72 hours of arrival) OR Rapid Antigen within 30 hours of arrival Antigen Antigen Antigen Antigen
  • Arrange travel with DOT-accredited tour operators or guides or travel agents, confirming pre-arranged transportation (if not using a private vehicle), itinerary, and accommodation. The tourism service provider must be a DOT-accredited establishment and possess the necessary Certificate of Authority to Operate (CAO) issued by DOT and Special Permit to Operate issued by the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN).
  • If intended travel is strictly for a staycation, tourists may book directly with accommodation establishments, but once tourists decided to go on a tour, it must be through a DOT-accredited tour operator guide.
  • Tourists must register for an individual account online via SafePass, an Online Visitors Registration System (OVRS). Each tourist, regardless of age, must have an individual visitor account.
  • In using SafePass, tourists must submit the following:
    • Confirmed accommodation booking
    • Travel agent or tour operator (unless staycation)
    • Confirmed Tour Itinerary (unless staycation)
    • Medical certificate
    • Negative COVID-19 Test Result
  • Complete health declaration or attestation using SafePass not earlier than 48 hours before arrival.
  • If all requirements have been compiled, a QR code will be issued, which can be downloaded either for saving or printing.
  • Save a digital copy or printed hardcopy of the issued QR code that will serve as Health Declaration ID and travel pass authority at border checkpoints.

During Travel to Ilocos Norte

  • A tourist must have with them their documents, either saved e-copies or printed hard copies, together with their QR code.
  • Tourists are banned from transporting or retrieving any outside individuals or ‘joiners’. There shall be no mixing of guests during travel and tourists can only travel with their pre-arranged companions.
  • The tourist must undertake only Pint-to-Point or direct travel such that no side-trips are permitted. Tourists can only use pre-determined pit stops provided by the DOT along the travel corridor for essential purposes.
  • The INTO will provide partner provinces in Region 1 with a list of arriving tourists at least 8 hours before their arrival for proper documentation, monitoring, and coordination.
  • Health protocols shall be conducted in every pitstop, such as temperature check and digital check-in and out using SafePass.

Upon Arrival

  • Present SafePass QR code and documents at the border and at either of the following three (3) Visitor Centers depending on the point of entry: Pinili Visitor Center-Tourist Triage South, Pagudpud Visitor Center-Tourist Triage North, and at Laoag International Airport Tourist Triage.
  • At the tourist triage, tourists must follow the procedure for the validation of their health declaration by health officers.
  • For tourists traveling from areas under General Community Quarantine (GCQ) or Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) with increased risk of transmission, as identified by IATF, who took Rapid Antigen Test within 30 hours of an entry shall undergo RT-PCR tests in Ilocos Norte upon arrival and shall wait for the result within the day or at most 24 hours at their accommodation establishment. Tourists can only start their itinerary after negative results are released.
  • If results turn out to be positive, patients will be subjected to health protocols and managed by Provincial health officials.
  • Tourists who underwent RT-PCR must minimize movement after the collection of their swab.
  • Tourists traveling from areas under Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) without increased risk of transmission, as identified by IATF, shall undergo RAT upon arrival. Tourists can only start their itinerary after negative results are released.
  • If results turn out to be positive, patients will be subjected to health protocols and managed by Provincial health officials.
  • Upon clearance, tourists will have an updated account profile in the OVRS so they can immediately proceed to their pre-booked hotel.
  • Execute an Affidavit of Undertaking

Upon Check-In

  • Present QR code to the accommodation front desk for digital check-in whenever tourist goes in and out of the accommodation facility.
  • Regular temperature check, sanitation protocols, and health protocols for accommodation establishments shall be carried out whenever coming back from tourism establishments and tourist sites.
  • Tourists are disallowed to leave their accommodation establishments without their assigned tour operator or guide.

During Tours

  • Tourists must check-in and out of tourism establishments and tourist sites through SafePass for contact tracing purposes; health protocols such as temperature check and wearing of face masks are required.
  • For tourists on staycation, they are only allowed within the premises of the hotel/resort and can only tour when arranged by a DOT-accredited tour operator or tour guide.
  • The accommodation establishment may provide staycation tourists transportation for transfers to and from the gateway or point of entry and essential services such as the pharmacy. A transfer is limited to Point-to-Point or direct travel such that no side-trips are permitted. Accommodation establishments are encouraged to buy essentials for their staycation guests in order for the guests to stay at their hotel or resort. The staycation tourist must minimize movement outside the accommodation establishment and all movement must be fully coordinated with and approved by the accommodation establishment in line with the aforementioned guidelines.
  • Tricycles may be used for transfers of staycation tourists from an accommodation establishment to a tourist attraction and vice versa but must be supervised and regulated by the LGU through their tourism office, ensuring safety and compliance to existing regulations on public transport. In no instance shall tricycles be used for tours. They are limited to one tourist attraction per trip or point-to-point or direct travel with no side-trips. The LGU Tourism Office must formulate local guidelines and maintain an inventory of tricycles for this purpose to be submitted to MINC for the approval of the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN).
  • Tricycles offering tourist transfer service must not exceed a total of fifty (50) per LGU with drivers having undergone basic tourism and COVID-19 awareness training by DOT and/or INTO.

Tourists Exceeding (3) Days of Stay

  • All visiting tourists will be subjected to Rapid Antigen Tests on their 4th, 9th, and 14th day of stay. However, if a tourist departs Ilocos Norte on their 4th, 9th, or 14th day of stay, he/she does not need to be tested on that day.

Exit and Transition to Next Province/City Destination

  • Exiting tourists much check out at the border using their QR code.
  • Temperature of tourists will be checked and recorded.
  • Tourists exhibiting symptoms will be subjected to health protocols.
  • If tour program includes another destination as part of a tour circuit, tourists must register to the next destination’s OVRS prior to transit. Such registration can be facilitated by tour operators or guides.
  • Another QR code shall be issued for travel to another destination.

Protocols for Critical Health Care

  • Re-tests using RT-PCR shall be required when the following occurs:
    • When tourist starts to manifest symptoms of COVID-19.
    • When tourist deviates from the itinerary without coordination and/or cannot be contacted by tour operator or tour guide for 2 hours.
  • For the above circumstances, if test results turns out to be positive, patient will be turned over to health care officials, who shall recommend health management procedures depending on the official diagnosis.
  • Expenses born out of additional health protocol requirements shall be on the account of the tourist.

During Re-Entry to Hometown or Home Province

  • Re-entries to point of origin or home province or home town shall be subjected to the LGU’s existing prescribed protocols and requirements such as mandatory testing and/or quarantine.
  • LGUs are legally bound to accept the reentry of their own returning residents who are COVID-19 positive subject to the LGU’s COVID-19 protocols.

Source: Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc

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