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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Health official: Boracay reaches herd immunity vs COVID-19

Health official: Boracay reaches herd immunity vs COVID-19

Published Nov 16, 2021 01:47 pm

ILOILO CITY — Herd immunity against COVID-19 has reportedly been reached at Boracay Island, the country’s most famous beach destination in Malay town, Aklan province.

Dr. Cornelio Cuachon Jr., chief of the Aklan Provincial Health Office (APPO), said that more than 70 percent of the eligible population at the resort island have been fully vaccinated.

This is as Boracay reopened its doors to all fully vaccinated tourists Tuesday, November 16, and dropped the previous requirement of having to undergo swab tests.

Visitors enjoy the sunset at world-famous Boracay Island. (Photo courtesy of Ernesto Bandiola Cruz/Manila Bulletin)

More than 23,900 out of the 34,000 eligible population in the three barangays (villages) of Boracay were vaccinated.

As for Boracay’s tourism workers, it is around 100.20 percent or 12,809.

With these figures, Cuachon said that awareness campaign did work as the initial vaccination hesitancy among locals were addressed.

While herd immunity has been reportedly reached, Cuachon said that both tourists and locals should not be lax and still maintain minimum health protocols.

Meanwhile, Aklan Governor Florencio Miraflores reiterated in an advisory that there are still other requirements for Boracay’s inbound tourists.

Foremost, visitors must have a vaccination certificate (VaxCert) issued either by the Department of Health (DOH) or the local government unit (LGU).

Visitors must also have secured a booking at a hotel or resort accredited by the Department of Tourism (DOT).

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