ILOILO CITY–The province of Aklan, which has jurisdiction over Boracay Island, has barred the entry of foreign nationals coming from countries with COVID-19 cases even as several tourists are stranded on the island-resort.
In an executive order issued on March 16, Aklan Gov. Florencio Miraflores amended an earlier order that allowed foreign nationals entry as long as they undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine.
Under the new order, foreign nationals traveling by land, sea and air from countries with local transmission of COVID-19 will be denied entry.
As of March 14, 144 countries and territories have reported cases of COVID-19, according to the World Health Organization.
The provinces of Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo and Negros Occidental in Western Visayas have imposed border restrictions as precautionary measures against the spread of the disease.
As of March 15, the Department of Health in Western Visayas recorded 65 Persons Under Investigation, or those who showed symptoms.
Out of this number, 44 persons have tested negative for the disease while results of 18 others remained pending. Three others have not been tested.
Several foreign tourists have been stranded in Boracay due to domestic travel restrictions.
A hotel operator said at least 10 foreign tourists are stranded on the island after their flights to Manila and Cebu were canceled following the imposition of community quarantine measures in Metro Manila and other local government units.