Davao Oriental: Around 300 tourism establishments in Davao Oriental comprising mostly of beach resorts, hotels, and restaurants have implemented new operation policies as the province embraces the “new normal”.
The Provincial Task Force on COVID-19 held a meeting on June 9 with tourism operators including owners and managers of resorts, hotels, and restaurants to discuss adoption of guidelines set by the Department of Tourism for the reopening of tourism establishments. These guidelines are to be enforced as influx of tourists is anticipated.
As such, accommodation establishments may only open at 50 percent maximum operational capacity for social distancing purposes. With this, hotels and inns are only to open single and double room occupancy (for couples or family members who share the same household).
In addition, the establishments are required to implement temperature screening and disinfection, sanitizing mats or foot baths, floor markers, and hand sanitizers, among many others.
Moreover, Dr. Reden Bersaldo, Action Officer of the Provincial Task Force on COVID-19, requested tourism operators to provide a dedicated space purposely for isolation as a contingency measure. “In case there are guests who develop symptoms, it will serve as a containment area while the authorities are being coordinated for appropriate action,” said Dr. Bersaldo.
For visitors and guests, they are required to wear face masks at all times. As well, they must fill out a ‘health declaration’ form which will indicate their travel history and presence of symptoms.
Bersaldo emphasized that while the province has re-opened tourism and business activities, it will continue to enforce strict health protocols to ensure prevention of COVID19 local transmission.
On June 12, tourism establishments have started to open doors for tourists after the province opened its borders on June 10, loosening up movement restrictions. (Jan Vincent Leuterio/PIA-XI with reports from Karen Lou Deloso)