The Department of Tourism on Monday suspended the endorsement of subsidized swab tests for tourists until Mar. 30 to align with the quarantine bubble in Metro Manila and surrounding provinces that seeks to slow a resurgent COVID-19.
Prior to the temporary suspension, the tourism department offered a 50% swab test subsidy for tourists to entice them to travel locally. A negative swab test result is mandatory for most local tourist spots.
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The Philippine General Hospital will accept endorsements again starting Mar. 31 while the Philippine Children's Medical Center will do so on Apr. 2. These dates are for those scheduled to fly out Apr. 5 onwards.
Passengers whose flights were rescheduled may send their updated flight and booking details to phtravel@tpb.gov.ph for PGH or phtravel_pcmc@tpb.gov.ph for PCMC for rescheduled RT-PCR testing.
Slots for PGH are subject to availability as the hospital has a limit of 150 applicants per day.
On Sunday, COVID hotspots Metro Manila, Antipolo, Rizal, Laguna, and Cavite—dubbed NCR Plus—were placed in a GCQ bubble with more restrictions until Apr. 4.
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Banned activities included non-essential or leisure travel and physical masses. Minors and seniors were barred from leaving their homes during the two-week period. A uniform curfew of 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. was also put in place.
Restaurant services were once again limited to take-out, delivery, and al fresco dining.