Gwen eyes full seating capacity in tourist boats

GOVERNOR Gwendolyn Garcia is eyeing to resume the full seating capacity in tourist boats in Cebu Province, to help operators recoup their losses amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.Garcia made the announcement after a tourist boat owner in the town of Moalboal asked if the Capitol could also allow their operation go back to 100 percent capacity during a meeting with resort owners and other stakeholders involved in the tourism industry on Saturday, February 26, 2022.The boat owner said tourists usually came by group or by family, and that they are still limited by implementing the 75 percent seating capacity in their vessels.Tourists would be burdened financially if boat operators would embark them on a tour by batch or divide the group in two boats.In response, Garcia said she will revisit the executive order increasing the capacity to full seating capacity in public transport in the province on Tuesday, March 1.The governor said she may issue another executive order concerning the seating capacity for tourist boats after consultation with the Department of Health, Department of Tourism, and the Department of Trade and Industry.β€œI assure you within the week that will be effective full seating capacity,” Garcia said.InsuranceThe governor also stressed that the Capitol has tied up tourist boat owners with the Enhanced Countryside Development so that they will be insured.Of the 6,000 tourist boats in Cebu that were damaged during the onslaught of Typhoon Odette (Rai), only 1,000 boats were covered by insurance.Meanwhile, the governor also clarified that there is no such thing as vaccination requirements in resorts and other establishments in the province.β€œIt should be a matter of choice, kon gusto mo magpa-vaccinate, pagpa-vaccinate mo (if you want to get vaccinated, get yourself vaccinated). Tagai og igong respeto ang matag tawo nga modesider alang sa iyang kaugalingon nga lawas (Give respect to people and let them decide what they want to do),” she said.Economic reboundAs part of its economic recovery, Cebu Province has been accepting foreign travelers whether from non-visa-required or visa-required countries since February 10.For non-visa required countries who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19, they need to present a vaccination card or proof of vaccination permitted by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) as well as negative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test taken within 48 hours prior to date and time of departure from the country of origin.They will not need to undergo facility-based quarantine in Cebu but will just self monitor for Covid-19 symptoms for seven days.But for visa-required countries, they need to present Entry Exemption Document issued under IATF in addition to a proof of vaccination and a negative RT-PCR test result.They also need to self-monitor themselves for seven days.Apart from that, starting Tuesday, March 1, unvaccinated and partially vaccinated, or foreign nationals whose vaccination status cannot be independently determined, can also enter the Cebu airport only if they present a negative RT-PCR test taken within 48 hours prior to departure from the place of origin.Such passengers will also be subjected to a swab test on arrival and required to observe quarantine in a facility until the release of the result of their second RT-PCR test taken on the fifth day of their quarantine.Garcia also decided to lift the curfew on Friday, February 18, just two days after Mandaue City first announced the lifting of curfew for adults.However, 11p.m. to 4 a.m. curfew remains for minors or those below 18 years old.