Bohol extends suspension of travel due to hike in COVID-19 cases

TAGBILARAN CITY - The provincial government of Bohol has extended the "lockdown" until August 31 due to the rising number of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases.

Bohol Governor Arthur Yap approved the recommendation of the Bohol Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease (BIATF) to extend the suspension of air and sea travels to Bohol up to Aug. 31.

The current lockdown which started on Aug. 6 was due to end at 11:59 p.m. on Aug. 20.

In his Executive Order No. 40, Governor Yap said the extension was due to the continuing surge of COVID-19 cases in the entire country brought about by the threat of new variants of concerns, particularly the Delta variant.

"The suspension of air and sea travel of passengers bound for Bohol, excluding domestic air and sea travel of cargoes, shall be extended until Aug. 31," said Yap in his Executive Order signed on Tuesday.

However, domestic air and sea travel of cargoes and authorized persons outside residences (APORs) are exempted. These are:

• the health workers on official business
• authorized government officials
• those traveling for medical or humanitarian reasons
• returning Overseas Filipino Workers; persons providing basic services and public utilities
• bank personnel and other bank employees who shall come to the province with the purpose of replenishing the cash funds and other supplies which are necessary for the continuous service of the different banks.

According to the BIATF, two cases of the highly transmissible Delta variant, one Alpha (UK) variant case, 8 Beta (South African) variant cases, and 14 P3 or variant under investigation (VUI) were detected in the province.

Authorities urged residents to get vaccinated and follow the health protocols.

As of Aug.17,  the health authorities have reported 791 active cases that pushed the total number of cases to 10,909. At least  236 have died from the infection. -- BAP, GMA News