This Week in Boracay and Iloilo (June 7 to 13, 2020)

Iloilo City has resumed its economic activities after the province was placed under MGCQ [1]. In keeping with this downgrade, Executive Order (EO) No. 086 was released. The EO contains MGCQ guidelines and the lifting of the liquor ban. Despite liquor being allowed again, consumption of alcohol in establishments and selling of liquor after 5:00 PM are still prohibited. The 10:00 PM-to-4:00 AM curfew in Iloilo is also retained. The EO also sets a 50% operational capacity guideline in establishments, restaurants, hotels, entertainment hubs, sports facilities, resorts, and more. Also, classes may resume provided there is strict compliance with minimum health standards; the mass gathering of students is not yet allowed.

For transportation under the MGCQ, public utility jeepneys, buses, and taxis should follow the rules set by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), which are as follows:

• Drivers, conductors, and commuters must wear face masks inside the vehicles.

• Passengers must pay fares before they board the vehicles

• Thermal scanners in bus terminals must be used to check the temperature of both passengers and drivers.

• 50% passenger capacity, disinfection of vehicles, and installation of materials to separate passengers in vehicles should be prioritized by drivers.

Boracay Island has reopened the shores for tourists and residents as Malay is now under MGCQ. Eight designated swimming areas are now open for tourists to enjoy activities like sunbathing, beach viewing, and swimming. Lifeguard stations are set up to screen tourists upon entering the swimming areas. Everyone who wants to enter these areas will be subject to temperature checking and will have to register their name, address, and contact numbers for contact tracing purposes. Swimming is allowed from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM only [2].

In an online statement on their official Facebook page, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) announced that the deadline for arrangements of the Philippine Payment and Settlement System (PhilPaSS) is extended until June 11, 2020. The advisory released by the bank is in compliance with the general community quarantine (GCQ) in the National Capital Region (NCR) [3].

The Philippine Genome Center Visayas conducted two batches of hands-on training for medical technologists from QualiMed Hospital and Metro Iloilo Hospital and Medical Center Inc. The training consisted of molecular biology techniques (RNA Processing and RT-PCR) for coronavirus disease testing. Ten medical technologists and two pathologists from the two hospitals attended the training conducted at the University of San Agustin in Iloilo [4].

Calgarians raised funds for mental health initiatives and to fight the stigma of depression through the “Defeat Depression” campaign. The national campaign raises funds and awareness for mental health services in Canada. The officials of the fundraising event encouraged people to hike, cycle, play sports, walk, and run in their own neighborhoods instead of gathering in one area. Kim Winsor, chair of the Calgary Defeat Depression Committee stated that during a pandemic, mental health issues should also be addressed [5].

Go to Yoorekka for more COVID-19 updates in Boracay and Iloilo.