Yap affirms ‘ECQ,’ extends 

anti-COVID steps til Apr 30 

CORTES, Bohol, April 11, (PIA)—Bohol Governor Arthur Yap has issued last April 8 an order further extended the travel ban for inbound passengers from April 12 to April 30, 2020. 

Moreover, the same order further enhanced the community quarantine and all the calibrated measures instituted to address the ongoing threats of corona virus disease (COVID-19) in Bohol. 

Through Executive Order No. 22, series of 2020, Gov. Yap has extended the suspension of domestic and international air and sea travel for inbound passengers from April 12, to April 30, effectively stretching the strict travel restriction for inbound passengers to a month and a half. 

The order, which further enhances the community quarantine and all the calibrated measures instituted to address the ongoing threats of the COVID-19 however showed a glimmer of hope for fiesta lovers who may have found that the order has also opened up the inter-town travel for the young and old with the community quarantine also implementing in its pendency a province-wide 24-hour curfew to minors and over 65 years old not engaged on food production and related works. 

It may be recalled that, to keep Bohol safe from the threats of the transmission of the virus that has infected persons in the nearby island, Bohol declared a no-entry measure and closed its gates from March 16 to April 12. 

It also implemented a community quarantine together with strict mandatory self-quarantine for homecoming Boholanos and guests arriving from March 12 until the effective minute the gates locked for the effectivity of the travel ban. 

Succeeding measures imposed include suspension of classes and examinations, prohibition against mass gatherings, mandatory use of face masks outside the homes, the imposition of passes and the regulation and closure of non-essential businesses, all measures now in effect until the last minute of April 30. 

With the extension of the suspension of domestic and international air and sea travel for inbound passengers until 11:59 of April 30, the same executive order also affirmed and confirmed a state of enhanced community quarantine consistent with the national policy of a unified, cohesive and consistent program against COVID. 

With the previous measures still in effect until April 12, EO 22 takes effect April 13 at 12 midnight and shall remain to be in effect, unless further extended, until 11:59 of April 30. 

The same EO was crafted on the premise that current realities show that the threat of COVID 19 transmission from Bohol’s neighboring provinces remain high, thus [this] requires further restriction of entry of persons in the province, as well as enhanced community quarantine. (rahchiu/PIA-7/Bohol) 

EXTENDED. Corella may have escaped hosting the opening salvo of the fiesta months in Bohol, giving the honor to Tagbilaran City, which will be forced to host the feast a day the Coronavirus disease counter measures are lifted, but checkpoints like these manned by Cortes PNP would be in until April 30 still, or until another extension in the measures would be declared. (rahchiu/PIA-7/Bohol)