Two of the leading shipping companies connecting Bohol to other localities will be cancelling their trips in the province following Governor Arthur Yap’s pronouncement to impose a five-day community quarantine in the island next week as part of efforts to stave off the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Fast Ferries, Inc. and 2Go Travel which operate OceanJet and Supercat, respectively, decided to suspend their trips to and from Bohol even if Yap’s order only bars entry into the province but does not prohibit those in the island from leaving.

Both shipping lines’ trips were suspended throughout the duration of the community quarantine on March 16 to 20.

OceanJet’s cancellation of trips was confirmed by its operations manager Genaro Lastimado on Saturday morning.

According to Janus Ruizol, Supercat’s Tagbilaran port supervisor, they already closed their online bookings for Bohol.

He said that authorities such as those from the Philippine Coast Guard and Philippine Ports Authority have not barred them from docking at the province’s ports but they already ordered the cancellation of trips after Yap announced the directive on Friday morning.

“Sa system namo, gi-close na namo ang [booking]…para wala nay mo lukat, among gilikayan ng mga advance para wala nay hassle sa [refund],” he said.

Ocean Jet has 15 daily roundtrips between Tagbilaran City and Cebu City and trips to other destinations such as Dumaguete City and Larena, while Supercat has at least six roundtrips between Tagbilaran and Cebu.

Executive Order No. 8 which Yap signed on Friday suspends all domestic and international sea and air travel to Bohol during the five-day period.

However, the prohibition excludes domestic air and sea travel for cargoes.   

The community quarantine was ordered by Yap as precautionary measure to give time to local authorities to better prepare themselves in fighting the disease and preventing its spread into the province. (A. Doydora)