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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Boracay bans tourists coming from China, Hong Kong, Macau

Boracay bans tourists coming from China, Hong Kong, Macau

Published Feb 7, 2020 12:00 am
By Tara Yap  To make sure that the country's most famous beach destination remains free of the 2019 novel coronavirus acute respiratory disease (nCov ARD), tourists coming from China, Hong Kong and Macau have been banned entry to Boracay Island. This was after Mayor Frolibar Bautista of the local government of Malay town in Aklan province issued an executive order noontime of Friday, February 7. "We are asking for your understanding and cooperation as we take precautionary measures," said Bautista. The local government has been widely criticized for not instituting a ban of entry for tourists coming from nCov positive countries despite a travel ban imposed by Duterte administration since February 2. While there have been cancellations of flights going in and out of Kalibo Airport from mainland China and its territories, there were still visitors, believed to have come from these areas, who were able to visit Boracay Island. Bautista earlier told Manila Bulletin that these Chinese and other tourists were able to go in the country via other airports prior to the February travel ban, and just proceeded to Boracay this week. It was unclear how many Chinese tourists remain in the resort island, but the local government of Malay and the Bureau of Quarantine of the Department of Health (DOH) have given the assurance that were monitoring those who had travel history in China. With Friday's ban, border patrol checkpoints have been set up in all entry points of Boracay and even mainland Malay town. Tourists paper works and other documents will be screened by agents just to make sure they had no travel history to China and its territories. Meanwhile, the local government assured that Boracay and Malay town remains free from nCov. "As of today, February 7, 2020, there are no confirmed cases," Bautista added.
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