What you need to know before booking your staycation
In case you missed it, the Department of Tourism has permitted hotels and accommodation establishments located in areas placed under GCQ (General Community Quarantine) to admit guests for staycations.
A staycation is defined as an activity that involves a minimum of an overnight stay at an accommodation establishment, or hotel, that is not being used as a mandatory COVID-19 quarantine facility. That said, if you’re already considering your first staycation, you will need to choose the right facility and follow a new set of rules in order to have a safe and enjoyable stay.
Keep reading for DOT’s updated guidelines and Klook’s recommended staycation accommodations below:
DOT’s Certificate of Authority to Operate
Before you book your staycation, be sure that the hotel you intend to stay in holds a DCOAS, or a DOT Certificate of Authority to Operate for Staycations. This certificate is given by DOT to accommodation establishments that have fulfilled all operation requirements for staycation purposes. Rest assured that if the hotel was previously utilized for guests who are COVID-19 positive, proof of sanitation and disinfection should be submitted to the Regional Office.
These certified accommodation establishments, or hotels, must also adhere to the health and safety guidelines issued by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Health (DOH), and as well as guidelines set by the respective LGU of which it operates in.
As of October 9, 2020, these 8 accommodations have been given the green light to operate: Okada Manila, Grand Hyatt, Nobu Hotel, Solaire Resort, Edsa Shangri-La, Shangri-La at the Fort, Makati Shangri-La, and Joy-Nostalg Hotel & Suites Manila.
No age restrictions
Guests of all ages are allowed to take part in a staycation activity, as the Department of Tourism (DOT)’s administrative order now permits staycations for all ages. However, those with underlying medical conditions, multiple chronic conditions, or are currently pregnant will not be permitted to enter the accommodation establishment.
Territorial limitation
Your hotel of choice must be located in the same province as your residence. For this purpose, the National Capital Region shall be considered a province. This means if you’re from Quezon City, you can go on a staycation anywhere within Metro Manila.
Your hotel facility of choice must be located in the same province as your residence. For this purpose, the National Capital Region shall be considered a province; meaning if you are a resident of Quezon City, you are permitted to a staycation anywhere within Metro Manila (i.e. BGC, Makati, Paranaque).
Antigen Rapid Test
All guests are mandated to undergo a rapid antigen test on the day of their check-in. For everyone’s safety, all guests are required to present a negative test result before the accommodation establishment can grant their hotel booking for the staycation.
Contactless and cashless transactions
As an effort to minimize physical contact, transactions from booking to check-in, and all the way check-out are kept contactless as much as possible. Advanced bookings will now have to be done online; while hotel fees will have to be settled through cashless or online payment options.
Maximum Number of Guests
The Department of Tourism has also issued a maximum number of guests allowed per room floor area. For instance, rooms with a floor area of up to 20 square meters can only have up to two persons (belonging to the same household) inside the said room.
In order to prove you belong in the same household, all guests are required to present their proof of residency, such as a government or company ID, with a listed residential address.
Here’s a guide to how many guests are allowed per room floor area:
Ancillary facilities
Ancillary facilities such as restaurants, and other food and beverage outlets, gyms, and pools are now allowed to operate as well. However, bars remain prohibited in accommodation establishments under GCQ. Many hotels also allow a very limited capacity of people to stay or use the facilities to adhere to social distancing protocols.
Record of occupancy
To prevent possible occasions of overcrowding in hotels, they are now mandated to keep records of occupancy and to submit every 10th of the month to the relevant DOT Regional Office and LGU Tourism Office. This is, of course, subject to the provisions of Data Privacy Act.
Book your staycation on a discount with Klook!
You can now book your staycation packages on Klook - and we’re offering exclusive discounts you won’t find elsewhere! Book your staycation at a certified hotel on Klook today:
