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PHYSICAL distancing will be strictly enforced at island and beach destinations, under the “new normal” health and safety guidelines issued Monday by the Department of Tourism (DOT).
According to Circular Memorandum (MC) 2020-007 signed by Secretary of Tourism Bernadette Romulo Puyat, a copy of which was obtained by BusinessMirror, “Beach marshals can be designated by LGU [local government unit] concerned with ensuring that guests observe physical distancing at all times. “To ensure physical distancing, the use of floor markers, flags, lines, or other devices is highly recommended.
Lifeguards are also required to patrol beaches and resorts that reopen to the public.
While mass gatherings such as sports competitions, youth camps, and other beach activities are not prohibited, event managers will need to adhere to the health and safety protocols of national and local governments.
The guidelines also cover reservations, payments, and entrances to the island or beach destination.
On the one hand, those with at least one night reservation “must present a confirmed reservation at an accommodation facility.” Walk-ins are not allowed.
On the other hand, hotels and resorts, as well as other tourism companies “will use online booking and payment modes through online or mobile payment applications.”
At the port of entry, health checks using a thermal scanner or thermometer gun are required, and guests must complete a health declaration form via mobile app or other contactless means.
“People with a fever and flu-like symptoms will not be allowed to enter, and will be referred to the doctor on duty, the nearest hospital, or Barangay Health’s Emergency Response Team. [BHERT] according to DOH [Department of Health]-prescribed protocol “.
DOT guidelines also require that public restrooms on the island and beach destinations be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected regularly, and updated to the Asean Public Asean Standards. (https://bit.ly/3bHdMC2)
Separate trash containers should be available for discarded personal productive equipment, such as masks or gloves.
Guests must have access to at least one medical facility on the island, especially for emergencies. “A well-trained and equipped emergency response team must be available to provide emergency assistance when needed; [and] There should be a designated waiting area for symptomatic guests while they wait for trained staff to transport them to the nearest hospital or medical facility. “
“DOT remains committed to safely resuming tourism in the Philippines under a ‘new normal,’” Romulo Puyat said in a press release. He added that participation and cooperation are key to the effective implementation of the guidelines.
“In a new normal scenario where no quarantine classification is imposed, swimming, surfing, running, walking and other forms of contact-free outdoor sports and exercise will be allowed in our island and beach destinations, provided the standards are met. strictly observed public health minimums ”, he added.
The DOT chief also signed Administrative Order 2020-004, titled “Guidelines for the leisure and tourism operations of island and beach destinations under a modified general community quarantine. [MGCQ], ”That reiterates DOT’s strict adherence to the existing rules established by the Inter-institutional Working Group for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) on interzonal movements, health and safety standards, and leisure and tourism activities on islands. and beaches. destinations under the MGCQ classification.
These guidelines are available on the DOT Facebook page.
