Aklan gov’t tightens watch over Boracay

MANILA, Philippines — The Aklan provincial government has tightened Covid-19 quarantine and isolation measures on Boracay Island in Malay town, including transferring to the mainland people confirmed or suspected to be infected with the coronavirus.

In a three-page executive order issued on Feb. 2, Gov. Florencio Miraflores ordered all accommodation establishments to provide a quarantine or isolation place for suspected and confirmed cases, which would also serve as a holding area for those needing transfer to the mainland.

Tourists and workers suspected to be infected with Covid-19 will be referred to Don Ciriaco S. Tirol Memorial Hospital in Boracay. Those with moderate Covid-19 symptoms will be subjected to swab tests and taken to the quarantine center of Malay on the mainland.

Isolation facility

Those exhibiting serious symptoms will be taken to Dr. Rafael S. Tumbokon Memorial Hospital in the capital town of Kalibo.

People who test negative would be allowed to return to their hotels while those confirmed to be infected would complete a 10-day isolation at the facility.

The 1,032-hectare Boracay Island, the country’s prime tourist destination, does not have its own isolation center.

Employees who have undergone swab tests will not be allowed to report for work until a negative result is released. Those testing positive will be taken to the municipal quarantine facility on the mainland while those exhibiting moderate or severe symptoms will be transferred to the provincial hospital in Kalibo.

Miraflores, in his executive order, also directed employers to discourage their workers from leaving the island once they tested negative for the virus, unless for valid and reasonable grounds.

The governor earlier suspended the operation of Hue Hotels and Resorts Boracay from Jan. 31 to Feb. 1 after an infected employee was found to have stayed in an area deemed unsuitable for those undergoing isolation.

Shangri-La’s Boracay Resort and Spa also suspended its operation from Jan. 22 to Jan. 28 after at least 15 of its workers tested positive for Covid-19.

Tourism workers in Boracay are being regularly tested to ensure the safety of tourists and staff members of hotels, restaurants and resorts.

Tourists are also required to submit a negative swab test result before being allowed to enter the island.