Guimaras bans tourists, visitors from Metro Manila

By Emme Rose Santiagudo

All visiting local and foreign tourists from Metro Manila including other areas in the country with confirmed local transmission are temporarily barred from entering the province of Guimaras.

In Executive Order No 32 issued on Friday, Guimaras Governor Samuel Gumarin underscored the need to temporarily suspend the entry and scheduled tours of tourists in the province as a precautionary measure against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

“As of March 12, the total COVID-19 cases in the Philippines stand at 52 with five deaths where there is a confirmed human-to-human transmission putting the nation at high alert. There is a need to temporarily suspend the entry and tours of guest from Metro Manila and those from other areas that may be affected with localized transmission,” he said.

Meanwhile, Guimaras residents who come from the affected areas in the country will be allowed to enter the province provided that they undergo self-quarantine for 20 days under the supervision of the rural health unit concerned

“Personal ako nagahingyo kag dako nga kooperasyon. Sundon naton ang mga ginapanugyan sang ahensya sang gobyerno agud malikawan ang virus,” Gumarin said.

The province requested the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) to temporarily suspend the wearing of life jackets in all motor bancas plying the Guimaras to Iloilo route and vice versa amid the threats of COVID-19.

In a letter addressed to MARINA Officer-In-Charge Vice Admiral Narciso Vingson Jr., Gumarin made the request to suspend the wearing of life jackets in order to prevent and mitigate COVID-19 transmission.

“It is the position of this office that the use of life-jackets by different persons coming in and out of the province may be a possible medium by which the disease may transmit, hence the request,” Gumarin said in a letter addressed to MARINA Officer-In-Charge Vice Admiral Narciso Vingson Jr.

Guimaras also banned commercial and private buses and vehicles from entering the province to protect its tourism industry and inhabitants.

As of March 13, the province remains COVID-19 free.