TO PREVENT the influx of people swimming in the beaches in Cordova town, Cebu, local officials are set to implement a “No pass, No swimming” policy.

This was announced by the local government of Cordova on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2020.

In line with the new protocol, residents should claim tourist passes in their barangay with one week validity.

For local tourists, an online booking through the portal of the Provincial Tourism Office (PTO) at Cebu Provincial Capitol is needed.

According to the local government, this new protocol is in line with Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia’s order to those towns that are reopening their tourism.

“Do note that booking tour packages through our portal would be a great help to our low minimum wage earners coming from the different sectors specifically the Persons with Disabilities (PWD), Women’s Federation, Motorcab/Trisikad Associations, and local tour operators, among others,” according to the information released by the town on Oct. 13.

In addition to the purpose of limiting visitors, local officials warned that the Provincial Board recently passed an ordinance that penalizes erring tourists who don’t follow quarantine protocol while visiting tourist attractions in Cebu Province.

Penalties included a fine of up to P5,000 or imprisonment for one year.

To ensure public safety, all tour operators and non-food handlers in the town should undergo chest x-ray and drug tests.

Food vendors should also undergo complete blood count, drug test, chest x-ray, urinalysis, stool examination and Hepatitis B test.

To ensure peace and order in implementing the local government’s new orders, members of the local police, Philippine Coast Guard and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management personnel were tasked to guard the entry and exit points of tourist destinations. The order will be implemented starting Oct. 20. (ANV / MMC)