Iloilo temporarily closes resorts, amusement parks, hotels due to surge in COVID-19 cases

Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. has ordered the temporary suspension of the operations of facilities in all tourism, recreation and accommodation establishments in the province of Iloilo.

The order, which will take effect starting Saturday, March 22, until the end of the month, aims to “reduce the circulation of people.”

According to Defensor, the province is experiencing a surge in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases with 6,743 total infections as of May 19. Of the figure, 690 are considered active.

“For the two-week period from May 4 to May 18, the daily average confirmed COVID-19 cases is 33, with an average daily attack rate (ADAR) of 1.98, and a two-week growth rate of 37.26 percent for a supposed community quarantine classification of moderate (general community quarantine),” part of Executive Order No. 163 read.

Identified as tourism, recreation, and accommodation establishments are beach and inland resorts; water, amusement, and ecological parks; hotels, tourist inns; motels; pension houses; apartment hotels; private homes used for homestay; eco-lodges; serviced apartments; condotels; and bed and breakfast establishments.

The facilities refer to swimming pools, cottages, beaches, playgrounds, game rooms, function rooms, dining halls, function rooms, food stations, dance halls, and bars.

These establishments are only allowed to provide basic board and lodging services to authorized persons outside of residence (APORs), returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), and returning residents.

The EO also imposed adjusted community quarantine measures and health protocols in the food service industry.

Restaurants, fast food chains and food stalls, dine-in service are allowed to open at 50 percent of seating capacity, provided that:

diners shall not be seated directly face-to-face (or not directly in front of each other), and that there shall a barrier made of impermeable and transparent material between opposite sides of the tables;

tables and chairs shall be at least one-meter apart;

alcoholic drinks/beverages, such as, but not limited to whisky, brandy, gin, vodka, rum, cocktail, wine, champagne, beer and such other intoxicating drinks shall not be sold and/or served; and

sing-along, karaoke and/or videoke shall likewise not be allowed.