City bars ships from China, HK, Macau

By Emme Rose Santiagudo 

Sea vessels from China and its administrative regions are prohibited from entering Iloilo City amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak.

Mayor Jerry Treñas issued Executive Order No. 042 on Wednesday barring the entry of all sea vessels and sea crafts from China, Hong Kong, and Macau as a precautionary measure against COVID-19.

A cargo vessel from China loaded with fertilizer was denied entry in Bacolod and tried to dock in Iloilo City. The mayor said they are closely monitoring the cargo vessel.

“There is a need to address the threat of COVID-19 and its potential risk and danger to the health of the inhabitants of Iloilo City,” he said.

Treñas said the city government is exercising its power to protect its inhabitants and to adopt the safety measures of the World Health Organization (WHO), Department of Health (DOH) and the Inter-Agency Task Force.

He added that the city government is in close coordination with the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) for the implementation of the order.

The Department of Health (DOH) in Western Visayas said patients under investigation (PUIs) in the region totaled 41.

Out of the number, 40 were already discharged while one remains admitted to a hospital.

All of the PUIs tested negative for COVID-19, according to DOH-6.