WHAT HAPPENED ON BORACAY DURING COVID-19?

It’s the stuff of movies: A global pandemic. Mass panic. The travel industry being brought to its knees; people stranded on a paradise island somewhere in the blue waters of South East Asia…

Except this time, it was real. But what happened on Boracay during COVID-19 is a tale of extraordinary strength and spirit, and shows an island community coming together to help each other through the next part of the toughest two years in their living history.

We at Villa Caemilla Beach Boutique Hotel bring you the story from the inside…

Quarantine in Boracay
Late March 2020, the phrase ‘flatten the curve’ became the planet’s main objective and quarantine in Boracay began as she quickly closed her doors to the rest of the world. The government-issued ‘Stay at Home’ initiative was enforced for at least 600,000 residents in Aklan Province.

Over the coming weeks, Boracay resorts, shops, schools, bars and restaurants were closed, the latter turning to takeout and delivery to stay afloat.

No-one under 21 or over 60 was allowed out, others with a Quarantine Pass were permitted to gather essentials. Public transport to, from and around the island was prohibited, and family members reported back to those at home that the island was eerily quiet, like a ghost town.

Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) took hold over March and April, and the first three COVID-19 cases in the Western Visayas were recorded. Thankfully COVID cases in Boracay remained at zero.

To the locals and residents, COVID-19 quarantine in Boracay was shockingly reminiscent of the 2018 closure, with strict curfews in place, a liquor ban, Boracay beach resorts closed, no activities or swimming on the famous White Beach, no tourists and worst of all: the loss of businesses and jobs. Yet again, the poor people of Boracay began to go hungry.

The spirit of Boracay
But, true to form, the people of Boracay stayed positive and those not on the frontline found ways to adapt to staying at home. With Boracay resorts closed, it was a time to be with family, to meditate, listen and create music and new projects, cook, self-improve, work out, draw, read, grow food and more.

Easter came and went without the usual Boracay beach resorts’ week-long festivities, but of course – in true Boracay style – Islanders still enjoyed social events, parties and live music – all conducted over social media and conferencing apps.

Community Facebook groups were also set up and closely monitored to keep Islanders
informed and businesses afloat, and that insidious fake news debunked. Social distancing on Boracay was slowly being accepted as ‘the New Norm’.

COVID-19 relief efforts in Boracay
As the economic effects of COVID-19 on Boracay were quickly realised and with so many displaced workers needing help, the Boracay Inter Agency Task Force (BIATF) and local government released food and financial assistance for struggling households. Aid came quickly as they were able to follow the same relief programme that was created in 2018 following the Boracay closure.

The famous Boracay community spirit kicked in more than ever before, too and those Islanders who could help, did. Heartfelt displays of concern were shown towards struggling families and the tribal Ati Communities, and many, many relief programmes were set up by private businesses, groups and individuals on Boracay.

Over May and early June 2020, money was raised from all over the world, and teams of caring folk put together and handed out care packages all over the island – we at Villa Caemilla Beach Boutique Hotel and Under The Stars Luxury Apartments Boracay beach resort handed out over 4,000 packages alone – and counting!

Current situation in Boracay
Fast forward to late-June 2020 and the current situation in Boracay is slowly looking up, as far as businesses and the travel sectors are concerned.

Travellers from the Western Visayas are now permitted to visit the island. However, many Boracay beach resorts will remain closed and/or running at 50 percent capacity, until the new social distancing and sanitising standards can be met by owners and employees. Restaurants are still takeout/delivery only.

There are many new safety protocols for employees to learn and, as recommended by the Department of Travel, tourism establishments will be making adjustments to encourage the use of online systems as much as possible for bookings, payments and trips. Standards and rules for sanitizing and social distancing will be enforced.

But Tourism Secretary, Bernadette Romulo Puyat is very keen to get Boracay back on her feet and workers back at work as soon as possible, saying: “At this point in time, travelling is but a dream, but the sooner we open Boracay, the better”.