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Biliran province shuts door to tourists

By Roel Amazona

May 6, 2021, 2:56 pm

<p><strong>PARADISE</strong>. The view of Sambawan Island in Maripipi, Biliran from the highest peak. The Biliran provincial government on Wednesday (May 5, 2021) ordered the temporary closure of all tourist destinations as local authorities restrict movements of people due to a spike of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases. <em>(PNA photo by Roel Amazona)</em></p>

PARADISE. The view of Sambawan Island in Maripipi, Biliran from the highest peak. The Biliran provincial government on Wednesday (May 5, 2021) ordered the temporary closure of all tourist destinations as local authorities restrict movements of people due to a spike of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases. (PNA photo by Roel Amazona)

TACLOBAN CITY - The Biliran provincial government has ordered the temporary closure of all tourist destinations as local authorities restrict movements of people due to a spike of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases.

Governor Rogelio Espina signed on Wednesday Executive Order No. 12, outlining new protocols on mass gathering, quarantine, contact tracing, and border control in the province.

Included in the directive is the temporary closure of operation of all tourist destinations and facilities starting May 6, 2021, until the order is lifted.

“All tourism activities are temporarily suspended, and tourist attractions sites, resorts, and related facilities will be closed to all visitors, regardless of origin, whether Biliran residents or non-residents, while prohibition for mass gathering is in effect,” the governor said in a statement on Wednesday.

The order was issued just more than a week after the formal reopening of Sambawan Island Beach Resort to locals of Eastern Visayas.

Sambawan Island is the prime tourist destination in the province, popular with tourists due to its crystal clear water, white sand beach, and hilly slope that gives tourists a 360 degrees view from the deck located on the top of the highest hill on the island.

Other destinations that reopened to tourists are in Almeria and Kawayan towns.

The official asked local governments to capacitate village authorities to strictly monitor and prevent the gathering of tourists in all tourism establishments, resorts, and similar facilities or attraction sites.

The provincial government also imposes a mandatory 14-day facility quarantine of all incoming Biliran residents who went out of the province for more than three days and non-Biliran residents who wanted to visit the province, except for senior citizens, those with comorbidities, and minors under the care of parents.

Those who are undergoing mandatory 14-day quarantine have an option to be swabbed after five days from arrival at their own expense. Those with a negative result will immediately discharge from the quarantine facility.

Travelers from outside Region 8 heading to Biliran will also have to secure a Travel Coordination Permit (TCP) through the S-PaSS.

They also need to secure the Biliran QR Code, certificate of residency, and acceptance, and to coordinate with the municipal disaster risk reduction and management office of their destination for the issuance of certificate and quarantine arrangement.

As of May 6, Biliran has already recorded 473 cases, including 440 recoveries, and six deaths. (PNA)

 

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