With South Korean Tourists Arriving in Droves, Boracay Jetty Port seeks DOH Help on MERS-COV Scare
By: Philippines News Agency
June 24, 2015 6:51 AM
FILE PHOTO OF BORACAY BY FRANCINE MEDINA-MARQUEZ
BORACAY ISLAND, Aklan — The Caticlan Jetty Port is seeking the help of the Department of Health (DOH) over the global scare on MERS-CoV (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-Corona Virus).
Niven Maquirang, jetty port administrator, said the months of June to August are considered “super peak” season for South Korean tourists coming to Boracay.
Earlier, the World Health Organization reported that more than 100 people in South Korea have already been infected with MERS-CoV.
The Caticlan Jetty port registered 9,862 South Korean tourists from June 1-14 this year.
The figure slightly increased when compared with the same period last year which registered 9,657 South Koreans.
South Korean tourists top the list of tourist arrivals in this resort island.
Earlier, the Kalibo International Airport which serves as gateway for Boracay island reported that it has started monitoring foreign tourists with possible MERS-CoV.
However, the airport management also reported that it lacked maximum technical expertise to ensure possible detection.
“In the jetty port, we may want to ask our personnel to wear protective mask but this may piss off tourists. The best thing to do is to ask DOH on what needs to done,” said Maquirang.