The Local Government announced on Thursday, January 21, that the city will allow entry of leisure and non-essential visitors as Zamboanga City will reopen its borders for tourism by the beginning of February 2021.
According to City Tourism Officer Sarita Hernandez, the city will be accepting outside guests, tourists, and visitors who complied with the entry requirements and observe minimum health and safety protocols during their stay.
The entry requirements for non-essential travelers are: Authority to Enter (ATE), negative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) undertaken at DOH-accredited facility not more than three days before departure, travel authority with a medical certificate and government-issued ID, round-trip ticket, travel itinerary in the city, and confirmed hotel booking from list of Department of Tourism-accredited non-facility hotels.
Furthermore, another RT PCR test will be required for guests staying in the city for more than 5 days. “If more than five days of stay here in the city, we need to require them to undergo another RT-PCR test on a personal account,” Sebastian said.
The City Tourism Office formally requested the reopening of Zamboanga City, which was duly approved by Mayor Beng Climaco due to the easing of travel restrictions, and other cities are slowly opening their doors for tourism.
Famous tourist destinations in the city such as the Sta. Cruz Islands and Once Islas will be subject to operating guidelines and protocols earlier issued by the local government. Bookings may be made at 0905-601-8316 / 0951-939-011; Facebook page Las Islas de Sta. Cruz (@pinlsandbeachzcph) or via email at zcpamolgu@gmail.com and onceislas@gmail.com.
