ILOILO CITY – Caticlan Port, which is the main gateway to the world-famous Boracay Island, has stopped the entry of locally stranded individuals (LSIs) coming from high-risk areas with a lot of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases, including those coming from Metro Manila and Cebu.
Mayor Frolibar Bautista of Malay town, Aklan province, confirmed that he issued an executive order that followed the decision of Aklan Governor Florencio Miraflores to strengthen screening of LSIs to stop spread of COVID-19.
“For now, we can only allow LSIs from moderate and low-risk areas,” Bautista told The Manila Bulletin in an interview Monday, July 20.
“But that is granting the LSIs have proper medical papers and documentation,” Bautista said.
This includes a document showing negative result after a swab test, travel authority issued by the task force, and certificate of acceptance by local government or barangay at the person’s destination.
The Caticlan Port, which is just across Boracay, is one of the major ports in Panay Island that cater to roll-on, roll-off (RoRo) vessels.
Local authorities are beefing up measures as more COVID-19 positive cases are coming from returning LSIs.
Meanwhile, Bautista also said he wanted to make sure no one can sneak into Boracay without authorization.