The Mahagnao Volcano Natural Park is preparing to open its doors to nature-loving tourists under the “new normal”.

Although unsure of the exact date of reopening, the Mahagnao Volcano Natural Park Ecotourism Association (MVNPEA) has been setting up measures to observe the minimum health standards, Burauen’s local government unit (LGU) said in a statement on Friday.

In a Facebook post, the Burauen LGU reported that a handwashing area for visitors has been set up.

Last July 16, the Burauen Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism (BEST) project also turned over to MVNPEA two thermal scanners and 35 sets of face shields donated by the EcoEx Explorations Sustainable Travel.

“This is to help the organization in its preparations so it would be ready once the Covid-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic is over. The organization, however, does not accept visitors yet as part of the town’s measures against the spread of the virus,” the local government said.

Proclaimed as a national park in 1937, the site near the volcano is endowed with other natural attractions — a lake, waterfalls, multi-colored mud, hot springs, virgin forests, and lagoon.

Mahagnao Volcano is about 40 km. south of Tacloban City and 18 km. away from the town center of Burauen.

Although it has been inactive, it is classified as potentially active due to the mountain’s active thermal features.

Mahagnao’s summit is a steep-walled heavily forested crater that opens to the south with a peak elevation of 860 meters. (PNA)