AMID the ongoing threat of the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), San Carlos City Mayor Renato Gustilo has issued an executive order, barring a foreign vessel from entering its municipal waters.
Based on a copy of the order signed by Gustilo and forwarded to members of the media, the M/V Sea Music, a general cargo vessel, originating from the Chinese port-city of Ningde, was not allowed to dock or drop anchor in the seas of San Carlos.
Gustilo pointed out that he made the decision based on the guidelines issued by the Department of Health. He said the city is not ready to handle an nCoV case.
He also recommended that the vessel be redirected to the port of Cebu or Manila.
He added that other foreign vessels originating from China, Hong Kong and Macau will also be barred from entering the city's waters.
Based on information provided by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Negros Occidental, the M/V Sea Music has 15 Filipino and six European crew members.
Lieutenant Commander Jansen Benjamin, PCG-Negros Occidental chief, earlier stated that the vessel was scheduled to arrive Thursday, February 6, and was originally planned to stay at the city's anchorage area while awaiting inspections from the PCG and the Bureau of Quarantine.