ILOILO CITY – As COVID-19 cases drop, the daily opening of business hours in the island province of Guimaras will be extended starting November 1.
In an advisory, Guimaras Governor Samuel Gumarin has allowed the opening of business establishments from 4 a.m. until 8 p.m. while pharmacies may open from 4 a.m. until 10 p.m.
“With a decline in the number of COVID-19 cases, we can adjust our protocols so that our economy can be revived,” Gumarin said.

There was a time last June when the provincial government only allowed businesses in the towns of Buenavista, Jordan, Nueva Valencia, San Lorenzo, and Sibunag to open until 1 p.m.
That time, the Department of Health (DOH-6) classified Guimaras as high-risk for COVID-19.
That was when the provincial government feared that rising cases of COVID-19 in Iloilo City will have an impact to Guimaras as many Guimaras residents work and transact in Iloilo City.
With the latest development, certain sectors such as restaurants are allowed to operate at 50-percent capacity.
Resorts and tourist destinations can accept visitors provide they are residents of Guimaras province and cannot accept visitors who are non-residents.
On the other hand, recreation centers, karaoke bars, bars, clubs, billiard centers, internet cafes and computer shops shall remain closed.