Guimaras eases quarantine rules, but border control remains

The Province of Guimaras remains under the General Community Quarantine (GCQ) according to the directive of the National Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF-EID).

Guimaras along with other provinces in Western Visayas was classified as “moderate risk” to COVID-19 transmission, according to health officials.

Governor Samuel T. Gumarin signed Executive Order No. 47 series of 2020 on May 15, 2020 detailing the policies and guidelines that will be implemented as the island embraces the “new normal”.

The province will adopt the modified Level 1 Response of the Guimaras COVID-19 Response Initiative effective 12:01 of May 16, 2020 until 11:59 of May 31, 2020.

Gumarin, however, underscored that restrictions imposed on the province’s ports of entry will remain and the Stay at Home policy is strongly encouraged.

“Indi kita mahimo magkumpiyansa. Magapabilin gihapon ang aton border control. Sa gihapon ginapangabay ko lang sa mga Guimarasnon nga mag-ugyon kita. Sundon naton ang ginapatuman nga mga polisiya. Para ini tanan sa proteksyon naton, sang inyo mga pamilya kag sang bug-os nga probinsiya sang Guimaras,” Gumarin said.

It is paramount that Guimaras remains COVID-free thus, minimum health standards shall be observed such as mandatory wearing of face masks, mandatory imposition of physical distancing, frequent handwashing and sanitation, mandatory disinfection of all public conveyances according to the Governor.

Jordan Wharf, Buenavista Wharf and Jordan Ro-Ro wharf will be the only ports of entry for passengers and cargoes while Puyo Wharf in the Municipality of Nueva Valencia, Tacay Wharf in the town of Buenavista and Sebaste Wharf in the Municipality of Sibunag are strictly for cargoes only.

Guimarasnons who had the chance to enter the province beginning March 15, 2020 and do not exhibit symptoms of COVID-19 may be allowed entry to Guimaras and will not be quarantined.

Returning residents who have not entered the province starting March 15, 2020 shall be granted entry and will not be subjected to quarantine measures but will present a medical certificate indicating that he/she is COVID-free.

All other returning residents coming from outside Western Visayas and repatriated overseas Filipino workers shall be subjected to the guidelines stated by Executive Order No. 45 series of 2020 issued last May 1, 2020.

Non-residents who wish to enter Guimaras are entitled to only two entries in a particular week to the island province provided that the purpose of travel is deemed essential such as related to work, business, property visits, family visits (within the second civil degree of affinity or consanguinity only), personal transactions and other meritorious grounds that may be considered by the Provincial Government as long as he/she must not be considered as suspect, probable or confirmed COVID-19 case and shall be issued an “Inbound Pass”.

Residents of Guimaras shall be allowed to travel outside the province but limited only to a maximum of two essential travels in a particular week.

Essential travels may be related to work, business, property, family visits, personal transactions and other meritorious grounds that may be allowed by the Provincial Government.

Guimarasnon who will travel outside the province shall be issued an “Outbound Resident Pass” at the outbound screening posts and shall be required prior to boarding the vessels and will not be subjected to quarantine measures upon return to the island.

Non-residents who wish to leave Guimaras may be allowed if they have an “Inbound Pass” however, non-residents who are in the island prior to the implementation of the Inbound Pass policy shall secure the document from the Office of the Municipal Mayor in order to be granted exit provided that he/she is not a suspect/probable/confirmed COVID-19 patient.

All establishments in the province shall be opened from 6 a.m. until 4 p.m. except those that are excluded in the guidelines issued by the National Inter-Agency task Force.

No-dine in policy for food establishments shall still be enforced.

Trips of pump boats and other sea vessels will be from 6 a.m. until 5 p.m. while operation of public utility jeepneys will be from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. only.

Physical distancing shall be strictly imposed in all public conveyances.

Tricycles or trisikads may be allowed to operate from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. provided that only one passenger shall be catered at a time however, two passengers may be allowed at a time if they belong to one household while backriders are not allowed.

Motorcycles can only be used for private purposes and a backrider may be allowed provided that he/she belongs to the same household as the driver and of legal age.

Suspension of mass or public gatherings remains and physical holding of classes in all levels are still suspended.

Further, existing curfew ordinances shall be strictly implemented.