ILOILO City – The island province of Guimaras is raising its pandemic response level from Level 1 to Level 2 to ensure that it remains free from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Under Level 2 response beginning April 15, entry to different ports of Guimaras will be limited, according to Gov. Samuel Gumarin.
Returning residents of the province will only be allowed entry if they do not exhibit COVID-19 symptoms but will comply with the mandatory quarantine regulations.
Guimaras has cancelled its famous annual Holy Week presentation “Pagtaltal sa Balaan Bukid” due to the threat posed by COVID-19.
Now on its 45th year, “Pagtaltal sa Balaan Bukid” in Jordan town is an open-air passion play on the death of Jesus Christ.
According to Gumarin, the provincial government has deemed it wise to raise the pandemic response level because the province is vulnerable, given the limited capacity of its health care system.
Non-residents who will enter Guimaras will only be allowed entry if the purpose of travel is to transport basic commodities and necessities and for emergency cases that may result to loss of life, liberty or property provided that they are certified cleared from COVID by the designated health authority and shall be issued an inbound pass.
“Hugton naton ini. Bantayan naton ang borders sang aton probinsiya. Kinahanglan naton
protektahan ang Guimaras nga kun mahimo indi makasulod sa aton isla ang COVID-19.
Ang apelar ko lang sa mga Guimarasnon, bululigan naton ini,” Gumarin said.
Outbound travels of Guimarasnons will also be limited with only medical referrals and travels for emergency purposes allowed provided they have valid IDs and Quarantine Pass.
For non-residents who will leave the island, only those that have In-bound Pass will be allowed to travel.
Further, trips of motorbancas and Ro-Ro vessels plying the Guimaras – Iloilo route vice versa will be significantly reduced.
Business hours for establishments except those that are considered essential will be reduced.
Public transportations will also be regulated to abide the guidelines set by the Department of Health for physical distancing to mitigate the spread of the virus.
“Guimaras is the only province in Western Visayas that remains free of the disease, it is essential to tighten the traffic of people going to and from the province,” stressed Gumarin who signed Executive Order No. 43 for this on April 7./PN
