ILOILO CITY – The local government of Malay, Aklan is eyeing to require workers entering world-famous Boracay Island to undergo rapid tests to stop the spread of COVID-19 after the Western Visayas Department of Health (DOH Region 6) classified Aklan as high-risk for the disease.
Data showed that 10 towns have recorded a surge in COVID-19 cases.
Malay Mayor Frolibar Bautista said they are seriously considering rapid tests for returning workers who were traced to have visited other towns of Aklan.
“We just need to protect Boracay,” Bautista said in a phone interview with Manila Bulletin Saturday, July 31.
Current government protocols require COVID-19 testing for those who want to enter Boracay. Exempted from the COVID-19 testing are those who are residents of other towns of Aklan.
If the new protocol pushes through, Bautista noted that only residents of mainland Malay will be exempted. Malay residents do not need to undergo COVID-19 rapid test in order to cross to Boracay Island.
As of July 30, DOH Region 6 recorded 1,915 active COVID-19 cases for Aklan.
The Malay local government wanted to implement the rapid tests for Boracay incoming workers starting July 31, but the proposed protocol is still under review.