One of Star Cruise’s ship (photo from IlocosNorte.gov.ph)
Ilocos Norte has banned all cruise ships from entering the province due to the ongoing international health crisis brought by the 2019 novel coronavirus respiratory disease (Covid-19).
Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc on February 19 signed an executive order temporarily banning all cruise ships from docking at any ports in Ilocos Norte. The governor says the measure against Covid-19 is to ensure the province remains healthy and virus-free.
Manotoc’s executive order also directs persons coming from and or passed through countries with confirmed Covid-19 cases to “undergo mandatory self-quarantine for a period of 14 days in accordance with the rules and protocols established by the Department of Health.”
The province has become a favorite destination of international cruise ships with Star Cruises, one of the biggest international cruise ship companies making Laoag as one of their cruise home ports.
The province also created a task force to address the threat of Covid-19. (Rommel F. Lopez)