BUTUAN CITY – The local government unit of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur is set to open its tourist destinations starting Monday, March 1, after they were temporarily closed for a year due to COVID-19.
“This move is yet another attempt at reviving and revitalizing the tourism industry and economy in Hinatuan, which has been severely affected due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” the LGU said in a statement last Saturday.
Mayor Shem G. Garay has issued an executive order last Friday allowing tourists from all over the country to visit popular local destinations such as the Enchanted River and other beach and rock island resorts.
Garay's directive only requires tourists and visitors to present a medical certificate and valid identification card upon entry to the municipality.
The LGU encouraged tourists and visitors to have pre-bookings for a maximum of two nights in any local accommodation establishments issued with a Certificate of Authority to Operate (CAO) by the Department of Tourism (DOT).
Hinatuan last Friday had only three active cases out of the 46 confirmed COVID-19 cases recorded since the pandemic started in March last year.
The town has tallied at least 39 recoveries and four deaths.