The Philippines' surfing capital, Siargao Island, will again open its doors for local tourists starting November 23.
Mayor Cecilia Rusillon of General Luna, Surigao del Norte signed an executive order allowing travel to and from the municipality effective Monday.
Flights to and from Siargao Island, meanwhile, will resume on December 1, with the reopening of the Sayak Airport.
"This is encouraging news for everyone who loves the sea, especially the surfers," Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said in a statement Saturday, November 21.
"As Siargao reopens to travelers, subject to minimum health and safety standards, the people of the island will regain their livelihood and share their paradise to our kababayans (countrymen) once more with the same level of hospitality they have always been known for," she added.
Executive Order No. 15, Series of 2020 issued by the General Luna municipal government on November 19 spells out the guidelines and protocols that travelers have to comply, in accordance with the Interagency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases and the local government's COVID-19 management procedures.
Tourists arriving via Surigao City and Sayak Airport must have an e-Health Pass from the Surigao del Norte provincial government with a valid ID. The health pass may be obtained from from https://covid19.ssct.edu.ph/sdn/register/healthpass.
A negative RT-PCR result taken within 48 hours from point of origin shall also be presented. If the RT-PCR test was taken more than 48 hours of departure from the point of origin, a negative antigen swab will be required on the day of arrival.
Tourists must also have a five-day confirmed booking from an accommodation establishment with a Certificate of Authority to Operate or Provisional Certificate of Authority to Operate from the Department of Tourism (DOT), as well a round-trip ticket or travel details.
Meanwhile, those from within the province of Surigao del Norte will be required the following: e-Health Pass with valid ID; certificate from the barangay captain that the traveler is not a close contact of a confirmed COVID-19 positive; and a confirmed booking from an accredited DOT-accommodation establishment.
Inbound and returning individuals will not be required to undergo quarantine unless they fail to comply with any of the said requirements and if they are found positive of COVID-19.
All tourists will also be required to undergo an antigen swab test seven days after their last test. The results will be submitted to the Rural Health Unit for monitoring purposes.
Curfew will also be enforced from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m.
The municipal government urged the public to "remain cautious and guarded at all times" by following basic health protocols such as the wearing of face masks and observing physical distancing.
Siargao Island is known as the top destination among surfers and nature travelers for its world-class white sand beaches, natural rock and cave pools, and wild water surf sites.
Aside from surfing, other popular activities include island hopping, kayaking, nature trekking, bird-watching, and leisure swimming.