Calaguas closed to tourists due to COVID-19 scare

Calaguas Islands in Camarines Norte have been closed off for tourists starting Thursday, March 12 because of threats of the coronavirus disease (COVID-29). PHOTO BY Ma. Ana Elizabeth Guazon/Contributor

LEGAZPI CITY –– Due to concerns over the possible spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Camarines Norte’s primary tourist destination Calaguas Islands was closed to tourists starting Thursday, March 12.

In an executive order released Thursday, Vinzons Mayor Eleanor Segundo said the town’s Municipal Inter-agency Task Force for the Management of Infectious Diseases (MIATF-EID) recommended the closure of the group of islands famous for white-sand beaches, clear water, and unspoiled resources.

Calaguas will be closed until March 25, and the town’s police have been ordered to establish checkpoints to ensure no tourists are allowed entry.

A tourist from Caloocan, who asked to be identified only as Mary, said she planned to go to Calaguas with 20 other relatives on March 20 to 25.

Although she regretted that their second trip to Calaguas would be canceled, she understood that its closure was for everyone’s health and security, she said.

“Naiintindihan po namin yung side na clinose due to Covid-19. Wala po kami magagawa doon,” Mary told the Inquirer through an online interview.

(We understand the reason for its closure due to Covid-19. We can’t do anything about it.)

Edited by LZB