Hotels and other accommodations in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) may soon accept “staycation” guests aside from health workers and exempted employees, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said.
According to Romulo-Puyat, this will help the tourism sector get back on their feet after months of facing consequences of strict lockdowns.
“Upon the recommendation of the Department of Tourism (DOT) to explore various ways in restarting tourism activities during quarantine, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) approved during its Principals Meeting on 10 September 2020 to allow staycations under GCQ,” Romulo-Puyat said in a text message.
She defined staycation as a “minimum overnight stay for leisure purposes” in a DOT-accredited accommodation establishment located near one’s residence.
The DOT would be releasing a memorandum circular that will regulate staycations under GCQ based on comments and suggestions of the IATF-EID.
