By Armando Fenequito Jr.
DAVAO CITY - The local government of Island Garden City of Samal (IGACoS) in Davao del Norte will start conducting patrol and inspection in the city to ensure that no foreign nationals coming from countries affected by the 2019 novel coronavirus (NCoV) will enter their place.
IGACoS Mayor Al David Uy issued Executive Order No. 180 series of 2020 that “temporarily suspend the entry of group tours composing of foreign nationals or tourists coming from countries affected by novel coronovirus of 2019 (nCoV) on January 30.
IGACoS Police Station and Task Force Samal will begin its patrol out-post and inspection of all sea craft such as passenger and island hopping boat to see if there are foreigners coming from the NCoV-affected countries.
The Philippine Coast Guard is also requested to inspect all boats in Sta. Ana Wharf and Sasa Port in Davao City going to IGACoS and bar the entry of all foreign nationals coming from NCoV-affected areas.
Uy said there is an urgent need to implement this order due to the alarming spread of the deadly virus.
“The city government needed to take immediate and prompt action to prevent the same from happening to the city and ensuring the best interest and general welfare of its constituents,” Uy said.
He said NCoV is rapidly spreading globally, affecting tourists or travelers to different cities in China. Coronavirus infections have been reported in Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Taiwan, Vietnam, North America, countries in Europe and the Middle East.
Uy said IGACoS, one of the tourist destinations in the Davao Region usually visited by foreign tourists, is vulnerable to the spread of the virus if the entry of visitors is not suspended..
He said the City Investment and Tourism Office will conduct meetings with beach resort owners and the Department of Tourism 11 with regards to the temporary ban.