THE CITY of Bacolod has prohibited all vessels coming from China, including the Special Administrative Regions (SAR) of Hong Kong and Macao, from docking in any of its seaports as a precaution against the spread of the coronavirus respiratory disease (Covid-19).
The ban is stated in Executive Order No. 11 issued by Mayor Evelio Leonardia on Wednesday night.
“I do hereby order the total ban of any vessel coming or arriving from China, Hong Kong, and Macao SAR to dock at any port of Bacolod City or at any place that may service such vessel within its territorial jurisdiction,” the mayor said.
According to the order, Bacolod has been conscious about the serious threat of the Covid-19 and the potential danger it may bring to the health, well-being, and life of its citizens, considering the declaration of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the travel ban issued by President Rodrigo Duterte.
“It is the intention of the City Government of Bacolod to assume the position of taking major preventive measures to protect its citizens from possible exposure to carriers or sources of the Covid-19,” it added.
The order cited the temporary travel ban for travelers coming from China, Hong Kong and Macao issued by the President on January 31 upon the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force for Emerging and Re-emerging Diseases.
Leonardia’s executive order came after a cargo ship from Xiamen, China, which arrived here on Monday, has been subjected to quarantine by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) as a precautionary measure.
The notice of arrival of M/V Unicorn Bravo showed the vessel is manned by 19 crew members, including 15 Chinese nationals and four Burmese nationals, led by shipmaster Wang Zhiqiang.
The vessel, which flies the Panamanian flag, is carrying 3,300 metric tons of ammonium sulfate fertilizer to be delivered to La Filipina Uygongco Corp. at the Bredco port in this city. (By Nanette Guadalquiver)
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