Tourism stakeholders in Western Visayas have been reminded to “continue taking precautionary measures” to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus and other infectious diseases.
Western Visayas (Region VI) is one of the top tourist drawers in country. It is home to the world-famous Boracay Island.
“The DOT- 6 is closely coordinating with the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases headed by the Department of Health (DOH) though the DOT Central Office for immediate next stes regarding reports pertaining to the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV,” lawyer Helen Catalbas, DOT-6 director, said in a statement.
Yesterday, Jan. 31, Guimaras Governor Samuel Gumarin issued an executive order that temporarily bans the entry of tours and guests from Wuhan, China and other countries and areas without due clearance from the Bureau of Quarantine.
Wuhan, the capital city of Hubei province and the biggest city in China’s central region, is the epicenter of the deadly virus.
On Thursday, Jan. 30, Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. requested Cebu Pacific to temporarily stop its flights between Iloilo and nCoV-affected countries.
The province of Aklan and the town of Malay in Aklan are also planning to impose a temporary ban on all travelers from China.
The DOH earlier confirmed the first case of nCoV in the country.IMT
