ADJUSTED. Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr signs Executive Order (EO) 114 on Tuesday (March 30, 2021) afternoon adjusting the province’s community quarantine measures this season of Lent. In the EO, the operation of recreation and leisure establishments and facilities will be suspended from April 1 to 4, 2021. (PNA photo courtesy of Balita Halin sa Kapitolyo)
ILOILO CITY – The provincial government here has prohibited the operation of tourism and recreational establishments and facilities from April 1 to 4, 2021 as an added measure to "arrest the surge" of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases.
The suspension of operation of facilities was contained in Executive Order (EO) number 114 signed and released by Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. Tuesday afternoon.
The establishments covered beach and inland resorts; water, amusement, and ecological parks; hotels; tourist inns; motels; pension houses; apartment hotels; private homes for homestay; eco-lodges; service apartments; condotels; and bed and breakfast establishments.
The facilities referred to swimming pools, cottages, beaches, playgrounds, game rooms, function rooms, dining halls, food stations, bars, and dance halls.
However, the establishments can continue to provide basic board and lodging services (room and meals) to Authorized Persons Outside of Residence (APORs), returning or repatriated overseas Filipinos (OFWS), and other returning Filipinos (OFs) to their places of residence.
“It is necessary to implement additional and adjusted community quarantine measures during the season of Lent to prevent the transmission of Covid-19, considering the anticipated customary gatherings that may transpire,” the governor said in his EO.
The EO further prohibits swimming and other recreation activities in public beaches and inland water for the said period.
The governor, in an interview, said during the period of Lent, a “surge in people circulation is expected,” which he said is not good amid the health pandemic.
To ensure that the measure is implemented, the governor has urged local task forces to conduct patrol, inspect and exercise their visitorial powers.
In a previous interview, Defensor urged the public to stay home and reflect instead of going out on excursion this Holy Week.
The province as of March 30 has recorded 5,393 total cumulative cases of confirmed Covid-19 to already include the 32 new cases on Tuesday.
Out of the total cases, 4,644 have recovered, 603 are active cases, and 146 have died. (PNA)
