17 Comments

MSM have turned out the lights and gone home

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Good detective work!

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In Thailand, when their state of emergency ended a few months ago there was an announcement from the Prime Minister - which included the removal of their remaining restrictions. Kinda odd it went quiet after December 31 in the Philippines.

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For shits and giggles, I contacted Sofitel Manila. They require a vaxx card or a medical certificate stating reason for being unvaxxed and a PCR test.

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How many hotels still ask for it? Even places around the Philippines do not ask for a PCR test if they travel with a vaxx card.

It is becoming more confusing to travel in the Philippines.

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My travelling days are pretty much done. What gets me is that I can go to an upscale hotel, eat and drink there, but cannot spend the night, unless I'm vaxxed or tested. Logic went out the window.

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I know I want to stay civil - but WTF with the ability to hang out for a day but not check-in for the night lol. Is this a Manila thing or nationwide?

I have been writing about some of the pandemic travel protocols still in place mostly dealing with air travel and never accounted that hotels still ask for the vaxx card. Would be interested to write about this since it has ramifications for the country's tourism industry.

Btw, if you want to laugh, cry, or be downright frustrated, I wrote this for people to see how the domestic travel requirements have become - https://substack.com/inbox/post/95353085

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I know for a fact it is occurring with Hilton and Sofitel hotels. I'm sure all the international brands are doing this. I would like to see the government document that they are using to push this policy.

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From Hilton...

Warm Greetings from Hilton Clark Sun Valley Resort!

Please be informed that our hotel is required to present a proof of full vaccination or a negative result from a rapid antigen test taken 24 hours, or swab or saliva-based RT-PCR taken not more than 48hrs prior to check in.

If you wish to have a full refund, please coordinate with your travel agency to request for a cancellation.

Thank you!

Hilton Clark Sun Valley Resort

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I sent a few emails to DOT.

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So, it's over right? Nah. I booked a room at the Hilton at Clark on Jan 2nd. I get this today from Hilton. Mind you, neither myself and girlfriend are vaxxed.

Dear Edward Sieczka Warm Greetings from Hilton Clark Sun Valley Resort! Thank you for choosing Hilton Clark Sun Valley Resort! Help us create a memorable stay for you or your guest/s by letting us know any preferences/needs or special requests. You may call us at +63-45-5985400 or email us at your convenient time so that we can make the necessary arrangements before your arrival. A few reminders for your check in – With the classification of Pampanga to Alert Level 1, guests 18 yrs old and above are required to present a proof of full vaccination or a negative result from a rapid antigen test taken 24 hours, or swab or saliva-based RT-PCR taken not more than 48hrs prior to check in. Minors who are below 18 yrs old are not required of any testing as long as accompanied by a vaccinated adult. Wearing of facemask and following social distancing guidelines in all public areas of the hotel are still required.

Unbelievable.

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Wow! No more state of calamity, but all measures are still in place. A friend has a relative who went unvaxed to the province for Christmas. The municipality is now not letting him.leave because he is unvaxed. They told him if he refuses to get vaxed he should just stay put without complaining unti the "rules" are changed. Just like the mask wearing that continues even though it is no longer "required"... Governments make restrictions which they rarely voluntarily relinquish.

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I actually wrote about the current travel protocols which do impact the unvaccinated. Kinda odd the municipality in question is not letting the person leave when he/she was able to enter. Other places like Cebu, Bohol, and Bacolod no longer check for arrivals from my understanding - talking about domestic travel.

Travel protocols are all over the place. Most who are vaccinated are not aware or care about how onerous it gets for those who have no proof of COVID-19 vaccination.

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That is worthy of a letter to the editor and to Department of Tourism!

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Feel free.

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I just spent a few days in Subic at a resort. No covid-19 related questions or requirements at all. Very variable ad hoc "requirements".

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Hi SuperSally, I am starting to do some research on post-pandemic hotel protocols. Seems like air/sea travel, it is also all over the place. Can you email me at jeffrey.teruel@protonmail.com?

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