On May 22, the Department of Tourism (DOT) announced that staycations and hotel bookings are already opened for tourists from areas that are under general community quarantine (GCQ) and modified general community quarantine.

The Administrative Order 2020-002 states that hotels, resorts, motels, homestays, and other accommodation facilities are already allowed to operate and accept tourists as well as business travellers in GCQ and MGCQ areas, but are limited to a 50 percent capacity.

Other hotel facilities will be allowed to resume operations too. "Ancillary establishments within the premises, such as restaurants, cafés, bars, gyms, spas, and the like, shall be allowed to operate at 50 percent operational capacity only," stated from the May 22 order signed by the Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat.

The tourism sector is said to be hit the hardest by COVID-19 pandemic as the decline in tourism revenues is about $1.16 billion, or 0.352 percent of GDP, and according to the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the ongoing Coronavirus outbreak costs the Philippines billions of dollars in losses from the tourism sector alone.

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Hotels and other accommodation establishments must first secure a DOT Certificate of Authority to operate before resuming commercial operations, including accepting guests and operating in-house or takeout food services. Failure to do so will merit penalties, the agency said.

The DOT also requires hotels to submit a report every Friday about their operations, such as the number of staff on duty; the number, nationality, classification, and length of stay of guests; companies or businesses which booked their stay; as well as the procedure for food preparation and delivery services and kitchen safety protocols, among others.

DOT released the accommodation establishments protocol:

DOT to release official staycation guidelines soon

Although the Department of Tourism is yet to release a memorandum circular with guidelines on staycations including specific regulations on the maximum allowable number of persons in a guestroom and the use of ancillary services such as restaurants and recreational areas, the following protocols are advised to those who wish to spend a staycation at this time:

- Staycation shall have a minimum overnight stay in DOT-accredited hotels located within the proximity of one’s residence for leisure purposes.

- Practice safety precautionary measures such as:

- Wearing of face mask,

- Performing hand hygiene frequently which includes either cleaning hands with soap and water or with an alcohol-based hand rub, and

- Observing physical distancing to avoid the further spread of the virus.

- Visitors are required to present a travel pass.

- They are also obligated to fill out a health declaration form upon arrival, present a valid ID.

- Ages below 21 and over 59 will be required to present a medical certificate.

Places near and around the Metro for staycations

Makati

Makati City is considered as the business capital not only of the Metro but of the Philippines. There are thousands of businesses that currently exist this progressive urban. But if the bustling city gets too much, there are also relaxation options that you can take when you’re in Makati:

Discovery Primea (from P7,266)

Address: 6749 Ayala Avenue

Dusit Thani Manila (from P5,231)

Address: Ayala Centre

Holiday Inn & Suites Makati (from P4,214)

Address: Glorietta Mall, Palm Drive, Ayala Center

City Garden Grand Hotel (from P3,778)

Address: Makati Avenue, Corner Kalayaan

Fairmont Makati, Manila (from P5,667)

Address: 1 Raffles Drive, Makati Avenue

Tagaytay

Tagaytay now allows staycations as long as the establishments were able to secure their clearance or accreditation from the Department of Tourism. Just make sure to bring your important documents mentioned above for your convenience. You can also check these establishments for your staycation:

Nordic Homes Tagaytay (From P2,000)

Address: Cityland Tagaytay Prime Residences, Calamba Road

Nurture Wellness Village (From P2,000)

Address: Pulong Sagingan, Barangay Maitim II West Cavite, Tagaytay

View Park Hotel (From P1,387)

Address: 3500 Calamba Road Sungay - East, Tagaytay

Escala Tagaytay (From P6,000)

Address: Purok 102, Poblete Street, Barangay Maharlika West, Tagaytay

Taal Vista Hotel (From P4,000)

Address: Km 60 E.Aguinaldo Hwy, Tagaytay

To know more places for staycations that are near your location, you can download the app Airbnb in your mobile phone. Have a relaxed and safe travel!