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DOT Statement on El Nido’s swift action against tourists with false COVID test records

The Department of Tourism (DOT) commends the local government of El Nido for the tight entry protocols enforced to guarantee the health and safety of guests, workers and host communities in the tourist destination.

The El Nido Philippine National Police (PNP) is filing charges against two female tourists from the National Capital Region (NCR), who were held by the Municipal Health Officers at the Lio Airport, El Nido on February 16 for submitting swab tests with falsified dates of specimen collection. This is in violation of RA 11322 Sec (g) Tampering of Records or intentionally providing misinformation. The falsification was confirmed by verifying the QR code through the Lords Medical and Industrial Clinic which administered the test.

Meanwhile, the Municipal Health Office has escorted the perpetrators to the Chelles Hotel to serve their seven-day quarantine.

The DOT continues to urge both municipal and provincial governments of Palawan to further tighten controls, more so in areas that have reopened to domestic tourists, namely, El Nido and Coron.

The DOT reiterates its support to the province of Palawan for the slow but safe reopening of its destinations.

Published:March 5, 2021

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