The Sipalay City Tourism Office pushes for the resumption next month of all outdoor activities of resorts in the city, after no new cases of coronavirus disease was reported for more than a week now.
City Tourism Officer Jerrick Lacson said the activities should be limited within the resort compound and day tour activities outside the resort will remain prohibited.
Compliance of the policy on accommodating only 50 percent of its capacity will be enforced at tourist accommodation facility.
On Nov. 7, the Sipalay city government allowed resorts and other accommodation facilities to accept tourists who booked online. Only 30 to 40 percent of the total capacity of accommodation facilities are occupied since not all tourists are aware of the recent development.
There are 54 resorts, hotels, pension houses, and other types of accommodation in Sipalay. These employed more than 350 workers, and half of them had returned to work since the first week of November.
The tourism industry in Sipalay contributes 40 percent in the total economy. Lacson said he is optimistic that next month would be more promising for small businesses in the city if they can allow more tourists to come in.
Sipalay closed its resorts three months ago due to the increasing number of COVID cases. In September, the city gradually started reopening the resorts, but only for residents, and with strict health and safety guidelines.
Most of the resort owners also did repairs or renovated their facilities in preparation for the resumption of operations.
The Sipalay Inter-Agency Task Force reported 121 COVID cases since the start of the pandemic. There are now two active cases remaining, 116 recoveries, with three deaths. – ML
