Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong is expected to release an executive order requiring the mandatory use of face masks in the city, especially in indoor settings, May 15. 

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“Kailangan mag-observe ulit tayo ng minimum health standard especially ‘yung wearing of masks kaya dito ipapatupad na ulit natin (mandatory use of face masks). We also advised dito sa City Hall and other government offices, especially sa indoors,” said Magalong. 

 

In an interview posted by the Baguio City Public Information Office (PIO), Magalong also advised church leaders and visitors to observe social distancing—particularly avoiding handshakes and other close physical interactions.

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“This is one way of mitigating and at the same time, hopefully, we will be able to reduce the number of (COVID) cases. Our forecast is that there will be an increasing trend for the next three to four weeks pa bago natin ma-realize talaga ‘yung pag-pa-plateau niya,” Magalong added.

 

With the increasing number of COVID cases in the city, Magalong encourages everyone to keep wearing their masks especially when going indoors, and to continue to practice the minimum public health protocols—wearing face masks, hand washing, disinfecting, and physical distancing. 

 

“Everyone—visitors, residents talagang they can roam around, they can move around freely. ‘Yun lang, kailangan lang talaga natin ‘yung face masks and of course ‘yung ating other minimum public health standards,” said Magalong when asked about the restrictions for tourists. 

 

As of this writing, Baguio City’s cases are averaging 13 to 15 cases daily while hospital utilization rate is at 15%—which is still lower, according to the mayor. The city’s reproduction rate logs at +1, which signals continuous transmission. 

 

Meanwhile, vaccination operations are still ongoing. Locals and tourists can visit District Health Centers from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. or 4:00 p.m. every Mondays to Fridays. 

 

“Tuloy-tuloy ‘yung vaccination natin. We’re now averaging about 60 vaccination a day,” Magalong added. 
 

— Kyla Claire Abawag