Only tourists from MGCQ areas allowed in Tagaytay

FILE: View of Taal Lake from SkyRanch Tagaytay (Photo by Biag arnel/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0)

MANILA – The Joint Task Force Covid Shield on Thursday said only those coming from areas under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) can enter Tagaytay City and other areas that reopened their borders to tourists without presenting a travel authority.

“Local tourists who would come from areas under general community quarantine (GCQ), modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ), and enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) are still required to secure a travel authority,” task force commander Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said in a statement.

This came after Tagaytay City reopened its borders to tourists to revive the local economy while other LGUs are also planning to do the same in the coming weeks.

Eleazar, however, stressed that the National Task Force on Covid-19 chaired by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana is still giving the LGUs the discretion in implementing rules that would manage and control the entry of non-local residents in compliance with quarantine protocols.

“LGUs may or may not require a travel authority for entering tourists.

We leave the decision to them for as long the travel protocols are still observed when they open their borders to tourists,” Eleazar said.

Tagaytay open to all

In a Facebook post, Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla clarified that visitors to Tagaytay don’t have to present travel pass.

Remulla’s clarification came two days after he said non-Cavite residents are required to present a travel pass before they are allowed to enter the city.

He, however, reminded visitors to take precautions after the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) along the Tagaytay-Sta. Rosa Road recorded 250 confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases.

He added that all establishments in the city have been ordered to comply with health and safety protocols.

“All restaurants in Tagaytay City are subject to IATF guidelines. The maximum occupancy of DOT (Department of Tourism)-accredited hotels is only 50 percent. Only one person is allowed at a hotel room at a time,” he said.

Remulla also stressed that the province is implementing a strict quarantine system to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

“It’s already rainy in Cavite and colds and cough which may be due to the rainy season can be a contributing factor to the spread of Covid-19. Stay safe and keep well everyone,” he added.