Cruise ship barred from Hundred Islands

By Eva Visperas

ALAMINOS CITY – Another cruise ship has been barred from docking off the coast of the Hundred Islands in this city due to the threat posed by the coronavirus disease-2019.

Mike Sison, city tourism officer, said the ship passed through Hong Kong from Europe before it arrives in Pangasinan on March 10.

“This is the second time that a cruise ship is not allowed to dock here to prevent the spread of the virus,” Sison said.

He said another cruise ship was supposed to dock near the islands on Feb. 6 to allow its passengers to engage in water sports activities.

“This is income loss as travel agencies that bring in tourists pay P100,000. We close Quezon Island for their exclusive use for six hours,” he said.

Despite concerns over COVID-19, Sison said tourist arrivals in the city remain steady, especially during weekends.

There is no reported cancellation of bookings in hotels and resorts, he added.

Several ships have been barred from docking and crewmembers were prevented from disembarking at various ports in the country as part of the measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. 

Mayor Arth Bryan Celeste postponed the Hundred Islands Festival set from March 19 to 29 as a precautionary measure against COVID-19.

He said the annual festival was tentatively reset to May 1 to 9.

“Everything depends on the developments on COVID-2019,” Sison said.