Task force okays saliva test for Boracay tourists

By Jennifer P. Rendon

 

The Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force (BIATF) gave its go signal to the use of the saliva reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) RTPCR test in lieu of the nasopharyngeal swab RT-PCR for tourists going to the island.

Natividad Bernardino, Boracay Inter-Agency Rehabilitation Management Group general manager, said the decision was reached during the March 18 meeting of the BIATF at the Paradise Garden Resort Boracay.

Aklan Governor Florencio Miraflores also announced in a virtual press conference that the proposal to use saliva Covid-19 testing has been accepted by the task force as part of the travel protocols for tourists.

A negative nasopharyngeal swab RT-PCR was one of the entry requirements when Boracay Island reopened for tourists outside of Western Visayas last year.

The saliva and nasopharyngeal swab tests are different from the antigen test which is blood based.

Authorities and local elected officials said the requirement was one of the reasons why the island failed to notch higher tourist arrival numbers.

The local government of Malay has been pushing for the saliva test to ease the burden of visiting tourists.

The saliva-based coronavirus testing is cheaper, faster, and easier.

While the usual nasopharyngeal swab RT-PCR would cost from P3,800 to P4,500, the saliva testing is priced at around P2,000.

Bernardino said the new rule would take effect once Aklan Governor Florencio Miraflores of Aklan issues an executive order.

“Mabilis lang naman ‘yan. Siguro makapag-issue na ng EO bukas (Friday),” she said.

Bernardino said they would immediately inform airline companies of the new guideline.

On December 2020, acting Malay town Mayor Floribar Bautista said they sent a resolution to the BIATF asking to allow saliva-based testing in a bid to fetch higher tourist arrivals.

In January, around 12,000 tourists entered the island. Since February 1 until February 15, the local government said tourist arrival was at 8,000 only.

Allowing the saliva test as a requirement for tourists is seen to increase arrivals, especially during the summer season.

In a statement, the Department of Tourism said it welcomes the BIATF’s move to accept saliva RT-PCR test.

BIATF clarified that it would accept results of saliva station “administered by the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) and other testing laboratories that have been approved and accredited by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Department of Health (DOH).”

Local authorities stressed that the saliva testing is limited to tourists visiting Boracay.

Further, “the DOT expressed willingness to support funding for an RT-PCR or gene expert machine as the LGU of Malay may propose.”

It also recommended to the IATF that persons below 15 and above 65 years old traveling from Manila to Boracay should not be restricted from going to the airport and flying since Boracay is only under the more permissive Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ).

Further, “the DOT reminds tourists and stakeholders of the need to still strictly ensure  minimum health and safety protocols such as wearing of a mask and face shield, physical distancing, hand sanitizing, and booking or operating in DOT-accredited establishments, among others to protect both the tourists, tourism workers and the residents of our host communities.”

It also asked local government units and agencies to conduct stricter monitoring and implementation of protocols. (With a report from ERS)