Dive tourism in GCQ, MGCQ areas given green light

Based on IATF resolution No. 78, tourists covered by the soon-to-be issued guidelines are those from similar community classification or GCQ and MGCQ areas. (Pixabay photo)

MANILA – The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) has allowed dive shops and resorts in “special areas” under general community quarantine (GCQ) and modified GCQ to accept tourists traveling for recreational diving.

Based on IATF resolution No. 78, tourists covered by the soon-to-be issued guidelines are those from similar community classification or GCQ and MGCQ areas.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) is tasked to determine the destinations where interzonal movement for the tourism activity may be permitted.

The agency is also instructed to take into consideration the general preparedness of the area and its impact on the tourism industry. Also included in the guidelines would be the test-before-travel requirement.

No specific destinations were identified yet by the DOT as of this posting.