By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The municipality of Hinoba-an in Negros Occidental temporarily banned the entry of tourists as part of precautions against coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19.

Mayor Ernesto Estrao yesterday issued an executive order temporarily imposing a ban on the acceptance of tourists and visitors into the town which immediately came into effect yesterday afternoon.

There are also guidelines set for the entry of essential goods into the town, however, the local government only posted part of the copy they provided to the public.

It was also noted that non-residents who have family living in the town are also prohibited from entering.

Earlier, two cities and a town in Negros Occidental have closed all of their tourist destinations to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Provincial tourism officer Jennylind Cordero said Candoni town and the cities of Himamaylan and Sipalay City have decided to temporarily shut their doors to tourists.

Other local governments are also set to shut their tourist destinations while some will be operating at 30 to 50 percent capacity only, Cordero said.

Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson has also asked local governments with triple digits of COVID-19 cases to close down their tourist destinations.

“I always think local chief executives know what is best for their areas,” he said./DGB, WDJ