This Week in Boracay (March 21 to 27, 2020)

No rain is expected this week, only intervals of clouds and sunshine [1]. With this kind of weather, locals will be treated to a beautiful sunset throughout the week. Health experts say that hot weather can also help prevent the spread of some viruses, so spending time under the sun might not be bad at all, as long as safety precautions are observed. Maximum temperature is expected to be at 30 °C so wearing sunscreen is a must.

Governor Florencio Miraflores has put the entire province of Aklan was placed under enhanced community quarantine effective from March 23, 2020 to April 14, 2020 [2]. Under this enhanced community quarantine, all establishments shall be closed except for those that provide essential services, like public markets, supermarkets, hospitals, pharmacies, and the like. Public and private transportation shall still operate, but with various restrictions and safety measures. An 8PM-5AM curfew shall also take effect.

Meanwhile, hotels are not allowed to operate, except for those with the following guests: foreign visitors with bookings in the Philippines as of March 17, long-staying guests with existing bookings as of March 17, and guests who are employees of basic establishments like supermarkets, hospitals, and the like.

International flights at the Kalibo International Airport and Boracay Airport in Caticlan are temporarily stopped in line with the coronavirus pandemic [3]. Limited domestic flights are meanwhile allowed at KIA.

The Local Government of Malay has also placed the whole town, including Boracay Island, under general community quarantine [4]. Under the quarantine, no tourists are allowed to enter the island. Boat trips to and from Boracay will only be allowed from 6 AM to 9 PM. A curfew is also implemented from 10 PM to 5 AM. Meanwhile, authorities assured that Boracay remains COVID-19 free.

With the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic, the tourism sector is among the most affected, according to a group of businesses on the island [5]. According to the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI)-Boracay, the island is suffering greatly due to the drop of tourist arrivals even before the island quarantine. Tourism arrivals have gone down by 40 percent since January this year following the restriction of flights from China, Hong Kong, Macau, and South Korea. To note, Chinese and South Korean tourists are the top visitors of the island.

Go to Yoorekka for more Boracay updates.