SHOWING their cooperation on the ongoing efforts to curb another surge of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) in Western Visayas, fastcraft operators in the region have decided to temporarily stop their operations.

Frank Carbon, operator of Weesam Express, said that effective Tuesday, January 11, operations of fastcrafts between Panay Islands and Negros Occidental are suspended until January 15.

Earlier, Mayors Evelio Leonardia and Jerry Treñas of Bacolod and Iloilo cities, respectively, issued Executive Orders (EOs) requiring negative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test results from travelers who want to enter their localities.

Carbon said that hopefully after January 15, a lower alert level status will be imposed in Iloilo and Negros Occidental.

Due to the new travel advisories, the number of passengers is meager to zero since Sunday, January 9, he said.

Suspension of trips has been implemented several times by the fastcraft companies in Wetern Visayas since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.