To make sure the country’s most famous beach destination is free from the 2019 novel coronavirus acute respiratory disease (nCov ARD), tourists coming from China, Hong Kong, and Macau have been banned from entering Boracay Island.
This is after Mayor Frolibar Bautista of the local government of Malay town in Aklan province issued an executive order noontime of Friday, February 7.
“We are asking for your understanding and cooperation as we take precautionary measures,” said Bautista.
The local government has been widely criticized for not instituting a ban of entry for tourists coming from nCov-positive countries despite a travel ban imposed by Duterte administration since February 2.
While there have been cancellations of flights going in and out of Kalibo Airport from mainland China and its territories, there were still visitors who were able to visit Boracay Island.
Bautista earlier said these Chinese and other tourists were able to go in the country via other airports prior to the February travel ban and just proceeded to Boracay this week.
It is unclear how many Chinese tourists remain in the resort island, but the local government of Malay and the Bureau of Quarantine of the Department of Health (DoH) have assured that they are monitoring those who had travel history in China.
With Friday’s ban, there are border patrol checkpoints in all entry points of Boracay and even mainland Malay town.Tourists paper works and other documents will be screened by agents just to make sure they had no travel history to China and its territories.
Meanwhile, the local government assured that Boracay and Malay town remains free from nCoV.
“As of today, February 7, 2020, there are no confirmed cases,” Bautista added. (Tara Yap)
