Domestic Tourists Can Now Avail FREE RT-PCR Tests Until Dec. 31

Good news for travelers: the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines is now offering free RT-PCR tests to domestic tourists who will be traveling leisurely in areas that have eased tourism restrictions like Tagaytay and Baguio City. The fully-subsidized swab testing started last November 1 and will only be available until December 31, 2021.

Through their Facebook post, the Tourism Promotions Board Philippines announced that they partnered with the Philippine Children’s Medical Center (PCMC) for the fully-subsidized RT-PCR testing. Interested travelers can apply for a free RT-PCR test by visiting TPB’s website http://www.tpb.gov.ph/rtpcrphtravel-application/; tourists are recommended to register via the TPB’s website at least five days before the travel date. The slots are only limited to 350 travelers per day, so it will automatically stop accepting applications once all slots are filled. They also do not welcome multiple registrations. Evaluation takes five days at most. Only those who were approved can get their free RT-PCR test; no walk-in applicants will be entertained.

Tourists can also view information, requirements, and procedures needed through TPB’s website. Requirements include the following:

● Government-issued IDs (senior citizen IDs, PhilHealth, PWD, Passport, Driver’s License, PRC License, UMID, PhilPost, Voter’s ID, SSS, and TIN ID)

● Secondary IDs can also be used if missing any of the primary IDs. These include Pag-Ibig ID, Police Clearance, and NBI clearance. It is also subjected to approval.

● Minors can use a PSA Birth Certificate, passport, and school ID.

● Proof of confirmed booking in any DOT-accredited accommodations

● Photo of the vehicle with plate number or official receipt registration for private vehicles

● Roundtrip tickets with booking reference number and name for flights

For specific requirements set by various destinations, the public can also visit http://app.philippines.travel/. Domestic tourists who will be approved will receive an email from the PCMC to view their swab test schedule. Tourists will also need to fill out their copy of the Client Investigation form, which is included in their email as well. The complete form must be printed and presented during the day of the appointed swab test.

Tourists who fail to show up on their swab test appointment will need to reschedule. Those who want to reschedule should do so at least three days before their adjusted travel date. Swab test results will be sent via email. RT-PCR results can be expected the next day between 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM for tourists who were swabbed in the morning; those who underwent swab tests in the afternoon can expect theirs 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM the next day.

The government opened the free RT-PCRs to encourage more travelers to visit local attractions that reopened to fully-vaccinated tourists like Baguio City and more. The partnership was initially launched last December 2020, wherein PCMC covered 50% of the swab testing cost.

Visit Yoorekka Magazine for more travel and COVID-19 updates and guidelines in Baguio!