The Department of Tourism (DOT) in Eastern Visayas is listing names of tourism workers who will be prioritized in the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccination.

DOT Regional Director Karina Rosa Tiopes said on Wednesday the vaccination for the tourism industry will prioritize workers in hotels used as quarantine facilities for suspected and confirmed Covid-19 infections.

The DOT has identified 25 hotels and accommodations in Eastern Visayas used by local government units as quarantine facilities.

“We are still in the process of completing the list. We are closely working with the local government units to ensure that people who are working in quarantine hotels are included in the inoculation,” Tiopes told reporters in a virtual press briefing.

The DOT asked the national inter-agency task force to include tourism stakeholders in the government’s vaccination priority list.

Proposed for inclusion in the list are not just hotel workers, but also tour guides, tour operators, waiters, front desk personnel, tourist vehicle drivers, and other people who work in the tourism sector.

“Because tourism works need to have a face-to-face transaction, vaccinating people involve in it is very important to ensure not only their safety but also their visitors, and also to prevent the possible spread of the virus,” Tiopes added.

Earlier, the central government has included front-line workers in hotels and accommodation under the A4 vaccination priority list. (PNA)