The Department of Tourism is requiring beach resorts to employ safety marshals along with lifeguards before they can reopen under the “new normal.”
It said the safety marshals should be on site to monitor physical distancing among guests and beach goers.
The department also required all resort owners and operators to do hourly check on and disinfect bathrooms. Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said restrooms should meet the requirements and qualifications prescribed under the ASEAN Public Toilet standards.
These are among the conditions contained in the guidelines issued by the DOT for the reopening of beaches, resorts and other tourist destinations in the country.
Puyat signed Memorandum Circular No. 2020-007, or the “Health and Safety Guidelines Governing the Operation of Island and Beach Destinations under the New Normal,” on Sept. 7.
The circular was among the standards that aim to ensure the safe reopening of tourism establishments.
“The DOT maintains its commitment to safely resume tourism in the Philippines under a ‘new normal’,” said Puyat.
She said the participation and cooperation of the public are crucial in the effective implementation of the guidelines.
Puyat said under the guidelines, mass gatherings and group events including sports competition, youth camps and other activities should comply with the health and safety protocols of the national and local governments.
“In a new normal scenario where no quarantine classification is imposed, swimming, surfing, running, walking and other forms of outdoor non-contact sports and exercises will be allowed in our island and beach destinations, as long as minimum public health standards are strictly observed,” Puyat said.
The guidelines require guests to undergo a mandatory screening at the port of entry, while guests who intend to stay for at least one night should present their confirmed hotel or resort bookings during the screening process.
Guests who intend to make last-minute bookings can do so at the port of entry, where a directory of DOT-accredited establishments will also be made available.
Those who have no confirmed bookings will be allowed entry at the destination, provided that they have joined a day tour package or have an outbound ticket on the same day.
The DOT will require all tourism establishments to adopt contactless or digital modes of taking reservations and payments.
Concessions, shops, peddlers, ambulant vendors and food vending will remain strictly prohibited at beaches. Chairs, canopies, grills and other ancillary temporary structures will be banned from the beaches until further instructions.
“The DOT prioritizes the safety of tourism stakeholders, workers, guests and the communities in our island and beach destinations. While we await the time when we can visit these destinations, I encourage everyone to educate ourselves with all the protocols. Let us work together in making tourism under a New Normal a safe yet fun experience for all,” Puyat said.