Shortly after relaxing requirements and dropping PCR or swab tests for COVID-19 for incoming visitors, Cebu Province relaunched its tour caravan for residents and visitors from other parts of the country.

Suroy-suroy Sugbo, a tour caravan organized by the provincial government which takes guests to scenic spots in Cebu Province, has been revived on Tuesday, March 16. The provincial government is eyeing visitors from Luzon to take part in the caravan along with local participants.

Among the tour sets are the “South Adventure” to the province’s southern towns, the “Northern Escapade” to the northern towns, and the “staycation” package where guests stay in one resort of choice. Each set is estimated to run for 3 days and two nights, each will be held during the weekdays.

During the launch, Cebu governor Gwendolyn Garcia reiterated that this was all in the effort to resuscitate the province’s economy and “move on” from on-going global pandemic.

“Tourism is already alive and well here in the province of Cebu. This time, we are showing the rest of the country, this is the way Cebu does it. This is the way Cebu proves we are moving on and moving forward,” she said.

Tourism officer Marty Ybañez said the provincial government set the target date for the official start of booking on March 22. The launch of the first tour, the South Adventure, is scheduled on March 29 to April 1.

Cebu Province is currently under modified general community quarantine, the least restrictive quarantine status. It is the first local government in the country to drop negative COVID-19 test results as a requirement for inbound domestic visitors.

Apart from that, Cebu Province is now also less strict in the documents required for authorized persons outside residences (APOR), and tourists.

On Monday, March 15, the province tallied 69 new cases of the coronavirus disease. On the same day, it reported 109 additional recoveries and one death from COVID-19.

Cebu Province has 1,434 active cases or individuals still sick with COVID-19, bringing its cumulative total of COVID-19 to 11,661. Its total recoveries stand at 9,724 while its number of COVID-related deaths stand at 503. – Rappler.com