Aklan Governor Florencio Tumbocon Miraflores announced Friday that swimming in Boracay Island and other coastal areas in Aklan is still prohibited even the province is now under the general community quarantine (GCQ).
“It (swimming) is part of the prohibited activities. As much as we would like everybody to enjoy already Boracay, the task force said it would not be allowed until we go out of the (15-day) GCQ,” Miraflores said in a teleconference.
“Fishing is what we only allow now,” Miraflores said.
“While tourists are not yet here, we prepare Boracay for them to be assured that they are safe. They are assured that if they visit Boracay, they will not be infected with Covid-19. We make sure that we establish a brand that Boracay is Covid-free,” he said.
Meanwhile, hotel owners and other tourism stakeholders are looking at conducting rapid testing for their workers to serve as a guide for safety.
The governor also said returning employees within Aklan do not need to get special passes to enter Boracay.
“It is the business establishment’s discretion whether or not they require their employees any health certification,” he said.
Miraflores assured that people in his province are safe since no local virus transmission was confirmed within Aklan.
Also read: Workplace guidelines for ECQ, GCQ areas
Swimming in Boracay not allowed during GCQ
Meanwhile, the governor inked executive order 023, placing the whole Aklan under GCQ, but with added provisions from the previous measures for enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
Under the GCQ order, “supermarkets, agri-fishery supply stores, veterinary supply stores, and other establishments will be allowed to operate under GCQ but will have to observe 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. operating hours. Banks, meanwhile, can now follow its usual 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. opening hours.”
Miraflores also instructed drivers and vehicle operators allowed to resume operations to secure passengers’ manifest for easier contact tracing.
Aklan will be under the general community quarantine until May 15, unless extended or shortened by the Provincial Task Force on Covid-19.
There have been six confirmed COVID-19 cases in Aklan, based on the Department of Health (DOH-6) bulletin on Thursday.
As of Friday, May 1, 2020, the Philippines has recorded 8,772 cases, 579 deaths, and 1,084 recoveries.