Guimaras province reopens to fully vaccinated tourists

After more than 20 months of closure, Guimaras province now welcomes fully vaccinated tourists as more areas in Region 6 relax restrictions amid the downtrend in COVID-19 cases.

Starting today, Nov 16, 2021, tourism related travels and activities in the island province of Guimaras will reopen to fully vaccinated tourists.

Governor Samuel Gumarin issued Executive Order (EO) No. 49 last Nov 12 allowing tourism activities and travels for residents and non-residents who are fully vaccinated provided that they will present their vaccination cards.

“Hopefully, we could, together, sa bilog nga Pilipinas makasugod kita liwat pundar sang ekonomiya sang probinsiya sang Guimaras,” Gumarin said in a statement.

Under the EO, individuals are considered fully vaccinated at least two weeks after receiving the second dose for a two-dose vaccine or at least two weeks after receiving a single-dose vaccine.

Before entering the province, they must present either their vaccination card or vaccination certificate issued by the government to the provincial government screening team stationed in Iloilo City.

Resorts and commercial tourist destinations shall also require guests to present such card or certificate prior to their admission to the venue and/or destination.

Under the EO, contact sports such as basketball, among others, shall be allowed provincewide but must be limited to the 50% capacity of the venue and all participating individuals must be fully vaccinated.

Meanwhile, Liberty N. Ferrer, Guimaras tourism officer in-charge, encouraged tourists to prioritize Department of Tourism (DOT) accredited enterprises.

According to Ferrer, around 70% of the tourism workers have already been vaccinated.

As of Nov 15, Guimaras logged 3,147 cases with 2,972 recoveries, 63 active cases, and 111 Covid-19 deaths, based on the health bulletin issued by the health department.

The entire Western Visayas has also been downgraded to Alert Level 2 classification from Nov. 15-30. (ERS)