Staycation is now allowed in accredited Metro Manila hotels as the region eases to Alert Level 3 from October 16 until the end of the month, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said Thursday.
“Individuals of all ages may check-in for staycation. However, to ensure safety of all guests, only those 18 years old and above who are fully vaccinated shall be allowed to book their stay,” the DOT said.
For unvaccinated guests, the DOT said a negative RT-PCR test result is required.
Under the amended guidelines, only DOT-accredited staycation hotels with government-issued safety seal certification will be allowed to accommodate staycation guests.
The updated list provided by the DOT includes the following hotels:
Grand Hyatt Hotel
Okada Manila Hotel
Shangri-la at the Fort
Nobu Hotel
Joy Nostalg Hotel & Suites Manila
EDSA Shangri-la Manila
Solaire Resort
Hyatt Regency
Nuwa Hotel of City of Dreams
The Peninsula Manila
Aruga by Rockwell
Sheraton Manila Hotel
Hilton Manila
Hotel Okura Manila
Conrad Manila
Diamond Hotel Philippines
Discovery Primea
Discovery Suites
Fairmont and Raffles Hotel
Makati Diamond Residences
Marco Polo Hotel
New World Hotel Makati
Sofitel Philippines Plaza
Holiday Inn & Suites Makati
Century Park Hotel
Novotel Manila Araneta City
The Bellevue Manila
Acacia Hotel Manila
Belmont Hotel Manila
The department said hotels accepting staycations guests are allowed at 100 percent operational capacity.
“This is also very timely, knowing that that the holiday season is fast approaching. Family gatherings are part of the Filipino culture, which makes this an important period for leisure travels and bookings,” Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said.
Also allowed under Alert Level 3 are meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE); social events like weddings, parties, and family reunions; and tourist attractions such as museums, parks plazas, public gardens and other scenic viewpoints at a maximum of 30 percent indoor capacity for fully vaccinated individuals only, and 50 percent outdoor venue capacity for individuals regardless of vaccination status.
Since Metro Manila has reached 70 percent vaccination for senior citizens and those with comorbidities, Romulo-Puyat said establishments permitted to operate in this area are allowed to expand with an additional 20 percent capacity and another 10 percent if they have been granted a safety seal.
The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases requires that the workers of these establishments are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 and that there is no objection from the local government unit where these activities will take place.
Romulo-Puyat said the resumption of staycation and expansion of capacity for restaurants serve as a “big boost” to the sector and would result in the restoration of jobs of displaced tourism workers.
“We welcome the easing of restrictions under the current alert level. The resumption of tourism-related activities in select areas will not only aid hotels and establishments in gradually earning revenue, but will also translate into the restoration of jobs for our displaced tourism workers, especially now that the holiday season is fast approaching,” Romulo-Puyat said.
Source: Philippines News Agency