Swimming banned in some Pangasinan, La Union beaches during Holy Week

The Tondaligan Beach in Dagupan City is open this Holy Week to allow shed owners and vendors to do business but swimming is banned. The city government is forming a task force to enforce minimum health protocols in the areas. PHOTO BY WILLIE LOMIBAO

DAGUPAN CITY—Some beaches in Pangasinan province are banning swimming during the Holy Week to prevent transmission of SARS Cov2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

Among these is the Tondaligan Beach in this city, which would allow walking, jogging and cycling subject to minimum health standards and guidelines, including curfew.

Mayor Brian Lim said Tondaligan will not be closed “because we do not want to deprive shed owners and vendors there the opportunity to do business, but we are not allowing swimming.”

The beach area in Pangasinan’s capital town of Lingayen is also off limits to swimming and other leisure activities that draw crowds, like picnics and sporting events.

The Tondaligan Beach in Dagupan City is open this Holy Week to allow shed owners and vendors to do business but swimming is banned. The city government is forming a task force to enforce minimum health protocols in the areas. PHOTO BY WILLIE LOMIBAO

Residents and visitors may only jog, walk and bike along the bay walk, Lingayen Mayor Leopoldo Bataoil said in an announcement.

San Fabian and Binmaley towns also banned all leisure activities on their beach areas during the Holy Week, according to a Facebook post of the Pangasinan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.

In La Union, Agoo town has imposed a longer prohibition on its tourism activities along its coastline from March 27 to April 5.

In an executive order, Mayor Stefanie Eriguel said only fishing is allowed during those dates, while swimming, biking, jogging, sightseeing and picnicking are prohibited.

The Agoo Eco Fun World Park has also been closed temporarily, the order said.

TSB