Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat appeals for a price cap on the real-time Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) and Antigen tests for COVID-19 to enhance tourism revival, as the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) relaxes travel restrictions in areas under General Community Quarantine (GCQ).
In a bid to attract more travelers to help bring back jobs and livelihood to tourism areas, Puyat has asked for cooperation among Department of Health (DOH)-accredited testing facilities to make the RT-PCR and Antigen tests more affordable.
The IATF-EID has authorized the DOT to take the helm in accrediting procedures, facilities, and activities, as well as set determining operating capacities for tourism establishments.
This is with respect to the issuance of Resolution No. 79 on eased interzonal and intrazonal travel restrictions and prescribed minimum health standards amidst the public health challenges posed by COVID-19.