The Department of Tourism (DOT) has suspended the operation of staycation hotels in Metro Manila and its four adjacent provinces—Rizal, Bulacan, Cavite, and Laguna—for the entirety of Holy Week beginning Holy Monday, March 29.
This was after the government decided to place these areas, collectively known as "NCR-plus," under stricter the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) from March 29 until April 4 to curb the rise of new COVID-19 cases in the country.
In a statement on Saturday, March 27, the DOT announced that only accredited accommodation establishments acting as quarantine facilities will be allowed to operate during the entire ECQ period.
However, DOT-accredited accommodation establishments were reminded to strictly enforce minimum health guidelines and quarantine protocols to ensure the safety of their frontline workers.
"Violators are warned of the penalties which include fines, suspension, and cancellation of accreditation, depending on the gravity of offense," the agency emphasized.
Just a few days ago, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Usec. Ruth Castelo said that staycations were allowed but "discouraged" within the NCR-plus "bubble". This was when the general community quarantine (GCQ) status within the bubble was supposed to last until April 4, or Easter Sunday.
Meanwhile, the tourism department also thanked staycation hotels for allowing their clients who have been affected by the new restrictions to rebook without penalties and for supporting the government's efforts in maintaining a healthy and safe tourism industry.
The DOT has been helping local government units (LGUs) revive the domestic tourism industry especially this summer season and Holy Week, which are considered peak seasons of many tourist destinations.
The country's tourism sector has been among the hardest-hit sectors by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, which has caused unprecedented travel restrictions since last year.
The United World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) reported in January a sharp decline of 72 percent or at least one billion fewer international tourist arrivals from January to October last year, reportedly making 2020 the "worst year in tourism history".