THE threat from the novel coronavirus (2019-nCov) has affected Boracay’s tourism and workers’ livelihood.
There were no longer any flights at the Kalibo International Airport in Kalibo going to and arriving from China as Kalibo is the main gateway to the island.
As a result, Chinese tourists, who used to form the majority of foreign visitors to Boracay according to the Municipal Tourism Office, were nowhere on the island.
Residents whose livelihood depends on tourism, such as tricycle drivers, have seen their earnings drop by almost half.
Even if 2019-nCoV is considered a public health emergency, there were no thermal scanners at Caticlan seaport.
Seaport personnel said the tourists have been checked at the airports of Kalibo and Caticlan prior to arrival at the seaport.
Two persons under investigation for possible nCoV infection are still confined in a hospital in Kalibo as of writing time.
The Department of Tourism urged tourism enterprises, especially accommodation establishments, to protect tourists from getting infected with 2019-nCoV by screening checked-in guests with symptoms. (GMA News)
