The Manaoag police has reminded tourists and pilgrims of the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag of the town’s curfew hours from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.

“Hindi po kami mag papapasok ng mga tao kahit manggaling po sila sa malayo kapag curfew na po sa atin. Pasok po uli sila kapag tapos na po (We will not allow entry of people even if they come from far places during curfew hours. They instead should return after the curfew hours are over),” Maj. Herminio Olivares, Manaoag chief of police said in an interview Thursday.

He said while they cannot prevent the entry of tourists in the town because of the easing of travel protocols, they are determined to strictly follow the town’s curfew hours.

Olivares discouraged tourists and visitors aged below 15 and above 65 from going to crowded places for their safety.

He said they are prohibited from entering the church premises.

Only tourists from areas under modified general community quarantine are allowed to enter the town pursuant to Executive Order No. 07 series of 2021, he added.

Olivares said the measure was necessary to prevent the drastic rise of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases in the province.

Meanwhile, the local government unit and the police have begun their preparations in anticipation of the influx of tourists and pilgrims this Holy Week.

Ilocos Police Regional office director Brig. Gen. Emmanuel Peralta visited the town and left a directive to further tighten security in the area.

Peralta has ordered the augmentation of police forces from the Special Weapons and Tactics teams, Provincial Mobile Force Company, and provincial and regional police offices.

Manaoag Mayor Kim Amador also ordered the town’s Rural Health Unit (RHU) to be on standby to check on the tourists upon arrival.

Amador enjoined all establishments to have their logbooks for contact tracing of all visitors. (PNA)