ROCK FORMATION. Sagada, which is famous for its natural attractions like the rock formations, is still close to tourists. Mayor James Pooten on Wednesday (July 7, 2021) said that Advisory 56 issued by the local Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) allowing persons with vaccination cards showing the holder has received two doses of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccine is only applicable to returning residents, authorized persons outside residence (APORs) with an official trip to the town, and essential travelers with documentary proof. (PNA file photo)
BAGUIO CITY – The local government of Sagada clarified that the town is still close to non-essential travels like tourism.
“Our tourism is still close. We will partially open by September,” Mayor James Pooten said in an interview with the Philippine News Agency (PNA) on Wednesday.
Pooten said that Advisory 56 issued on July 5 reiterating the National Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) directive that vaccination card showing the holder has received two doses of the anti-coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) jab will be accepted in place of the negative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test result only applies to returning residents, authorized persons outside residence (APORs) with an official trip to the town, and essential travelers with documentary proof.
“Hindi na po hihingan ng negative test result basta hawak nila ang kanilang original na vaccination card (they will not be required to present a negative test result but they must have with them their original vaccination card),” he said.
Since the declaration of the lockdown in March 2020, Sagada has closed its borders to tourists and non-essential travelers.
Even APORs were required to present official documents of their trip.
On several occasions, they have even asked their residents to stay put in their locations and temporarily avoid going home to Sagada to prevent the possible entry of Covid-19 and infecting residents.
Sagada has been a prominent tourist destination for years with its offerings of natural attractions like its rock formations, falls, hanging coffins, the picturesque rice terraces, and the Kiltepan sunrise view. (PNA)
