EASING TRAVEL. Starting Dec. 1, 2021, fully vaccinated tourists entering the provincial borders of Ilocos Norte will no longer be required to present negative Covid-19 test result. This applies to tourists who are coming from areas with less risk of infection. (PNA file photo by Leilanie G. Adriano)
LAOAG CITY – As the province of Ilocos Norte started to relax its travel protocols to its returning residents, the Ilocos Norte Tourism Office announced Thursday that fully vaccinated tourists who are visiting the province may no longer be required to present a negative coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) test result upon arrival at the provincial border.
"Starting December 1, there will be no testing for fully vaccinated tourists who are coming from Alerts levels 1, 2, and 3 areas,” the Ilocos Norte Tourism office said in a public advisory posted on its official Facebook page.
However, unvaccinated and partially vaccinated tourists who are coming from Alert level 4 will still be required to show a negative RT-PCR (Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) test taken within 72 hours or antigen test taken within 24 hours upon arrival, it added.
For a smooth travel experience, tourists are advised to register online at https://ilocosnorte.ph, bring a valid identification card, secure an individual Quick Response (QR) code and confirmed booking from accredited accommodation or local travel agency.
In an earlier statement, Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc said the easing of travel protocols is gradual because the vaccination rate of the province is barely halfway of the targeted 70-percent of the population. (PNA)
