MANILA – The Department of Tourism (DOT) on Tuesday slammed the tourists from Luzon who faked their coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) test results to enter the island, which has recently welcomed travelers after months of closure.
“The DOT, as the co-vice chair of the Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force, condemns the tourists from Luzon who counterfeited Covid-19 test results upon entry in the island on Monday,” it said in a statement sent to reporters.
The agency then commended the “swift action” of the Aklan provincial police in dealing with the suspects.
Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said similar malicious actions would not be condoned as they undermine the collaborative efforts at protecting and reviving Boracay tourism.
Puyat further urged stakeholders and visitors alike to keep the country’s banner destination Covid-19 free by strictly adhering to the health and safety protocols.
According to reports, six tourists from Metro Manila were arrested on December 7 for entering the resort island using a counterfeited reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test result, which is required upon arrival as part of the destination’s strict protocols against Covid-19.
The six were brought to the provincial Covid-19 facility in Kalibo where they will undergo quarantine for 14 days.