Boracay tourism activities suspended during MECQ, says Aklan guv
MANILA, Philippines — Tourism activities in Boracay are now suspended after Aklan was placed under the more restrictive modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) from August 1 to August 15, Aklan Governor Florencio Miraflores said Wednesday.
“As of today, dahil inilagay na yung Aklan as MECQ, ngayon ay tigil muna yung ating mga tourism activities sa Boracay,” Miraflores said in a televised briefing.
(As of today, since Aklan was placed under MECQ, tourism activities in Boracay will stop for now.)
READ: Palace: Cebu under GCQ with heightened restrictions; Apayao, Laguna, Aklan under MECQ
Miraflores said there is no point in allowing tourism activities to continue as most of the tourists going to Boracay are from Metro Manila which is under the most restrictive enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) from August 6 to 20.
“At the same time, 95 percent of our tourists are coming from NCR at NCR Plus Bubble. Wala rin silbi na mag-open ang ating mga hotels sa Boracay na wala namang turista na manggagaling sa NCR or Metro Manila,” Miraflores said.
(At the same time, 95 percent of our tourists are coming from NCR and NCR Plus Bubble. There’s no use opening the hotels in Boracay because no tourists will come from NCR or Metro Manila.)
READ: Metro Manila tourists flood Boracay
“Ngayon is the best time to really take a brief breather, magkaroon muna tayo ng pahinga kung saan macontain muna natin itong COVID surge before we can open up again for business. Yun ang aming paninindigan,” he added.
(Now is the best time to take a brief breather. Let’s take a rest and contain the COVID surge before we can open up again for business. That’s our stance.)
Florencio has advised mayors of the province to prepare burial grounds after the lone crematory in Panay Island was overwhelmed and stopped receiving cadavers.
The governor added the provincial government will request the national government to place the province under ECQ if COVID-19 cases continue to rise.
/MUF
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