Starting today, flights to Batanes are suspended for fourteen days following the reported first confirmed COVID-19 case in the province.
The first case who is a 29 year-old male locally stranded individual (LSI) arrived in Basco on September 27 with other 17 LSIs through an Airforce plane.
“Ang COVID positive ay stable ang condition at walang ipinapakitang sintomas. Siya ay naka-strict isolation na po rito sa aming provincial isolation facility sa Batanes resort (The COVID positive patient is in stable condition and is not showing any symptoms. He is in strict isolation in our provincial isolation facility in a Batanes resort),” Batanes Gov. Marilou Cayco said.
The other LSIs aboard the same plane have already undergone swab testing which yielded negative results.
Cayco has ordered the temporary suspension of all gatherings, including religious activities.
Government agencies and private offices are now following a skeleton force setup, while non-essential establishments remain closed.
Meanwhile, Philippine Airlines (PAL) flights to Boracay will resume tomorrow, October 1, via Caticlan Airport in Aklan. The first flight PR2041 will leave Manila at 11:00 a.m. and the return flight will depart Caticlan at 12:55 p.m. There will be the same flight schedule for October 4, 9, and 11. Starting October 16, there will be two flights per week to Boracay. – Report from Oliver Baccay/PIA, PTV News
