KALIBO, Aklan – This province no longer imposes restrictions at its borders but there would be regulated entry there for travelers from other provinces in Panay Island.
This was the pronouncement of Gov. Florencio Miraflores following the shift of Aklan and the other provinces in Region 6 to modified general community quarantine on June 1.
The borders of this province are located in the towns of Altavas, Buruanga and Nabas.
According to Miraflores, the regulation of entry at Aklan’s borders is one of the preventive measures against the spread of coronavirus disease 2019.
Persons who will be entering this province should register details about themselves at the borders for contact tracing purposes.
The governor acknowledged that such protocol creates inconvenience for travelers, but he appealed for the understanding of everybody.
Contact tracing, as explained by Miraflores, is very important during this time of pandemic. In case someone contracted the virus, health authorities could easily trace and immediately isolate that person.
On the other hand, public utility vehicles such as buses and vans that have routes to this province are required to present their passenger manifests at the borders to be allowed entry.
A manifest is a document listing the cargo, passengers and crew of a ship, aircraft or vehicle for the use of customs and other officials.
Miralflores said that he and the other governors of Panay Island agreed that checkpoints will still be placed in their respective borders to ensure that minimum public health standards are being followed.
He reminded the public that even though the borders in Panay Island are now open and the movements of people are more relaxed, there is still risk of contracting the virus as no vaccine or cure is present yet.(With a report from PIA/PN)
