Iloilo logs 1st Omicron case

MANILA, Philippines — Iloilo City has recorded its first case of the highly transmissible Omicron variant.

Mayor Jerry Treñas said yesterday the Philippine Genome Center confirmed that a 46-year-old seafarer from Barangay Sooc in Arevalo district was infected with Omicron.

Reports from the Iloilo City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit showed that the seafarer arrived on a Qatar Airways flight from Kenya in Cebu on Dec. 12. His two reverse transcription-polymerase reaction (RT–PCR) tests yielded negative results.

The seafarer went to Iloilo on Dec. 24 and was found infected on Dec. 27.

Dr. Marigold Calsas of the city health office said the patient has no known close contact as he lived alone.

The seafarer, who was unvaccinated, was reportedly asymptomatic.

Boracay tourists need RT-PCR test

As this developed, Aklan Gov. Florencio Miraflores issued yesterday an executive order requiring a negative RT-PCR test for those traveling to Boracay.

Miraflores said visitors also need to present a QR code as well as a screenshot of their online health declaration card, travel details and vaccination card.

The EO also mandates shortened operating hours of business establishments in Aklan from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m.

In Boracay, business operating hours are from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Curfew hours in Aklan are from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. and 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. in Boracay.