BORACAY – The local government of Malay, Aklan which has jurisdiction over this island resort could declare as persona non grata tourists using tampered coronavirus disease 2019 (COVId-19) test results.
A negative result for coronavirus through reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT PCR) test is a pre-entry requirement to Boracay.
Since December last year, several tourists have been caught submitting fake RT PCR test results.
Persona non grata is a Latin phrase which means “unwelcome person”.
Malay acting town mayor Frolibar Bautista said the Sangguniang Bayan will pass a resolution declaring as persona non grata those travellers submitting fake RT PCR test results to the Aklan provincial validating team.
Incoming Boracay tourists are required to present digital proof of their negative test results for validation by the Aklan provincial validating team. The tests in licensed laboratories or testing facilities must be conducted within 72 hours of the traveler’s arrival to Boracay Island.
Bautista said “fake documentation” appeared to have become a thriving market in Metro Manila.
“May mga tao in Metro Manila nag-o-offer ng swab testing, parang online lang, tinatawagan ang mga local tourists. May mga kaso ang mga ito sa (pag-violate ng) quarantine protocols. ” Bautista said.
For his part, Provincial Administrator and concurrent Caticlan port manager Atty. Selwyn Ibarreta said erring tourists caught at entry points of Aklan and/or apprehended in their hotels in Boracay Island were isolated in quarantine facilities in Kalibo town./PN
