Strict protocols imposed in Baguio amid rise in cases

The Baguio City Government has brought back the strict protocols it previously imposed to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) amid the city’s sudden surge in cases.

According to JP Soriano’s report on “24 Oras,” Mayor Benjamin Magalong has ordered the strict implementation of border control, the closure of public markets during the weekend for disinfection procedures, and a ban on liquor.

“You know what the people did? Nag-inuman naman sila. ‘Yung na-contaminate na isa kaya dumami. Nag-inuman sila using only one glass, eh, contamininated pala yung isa,” City Administrator Bonifacio dela Peña said.

“Those are the things, so we have to go back again to the strict policies,” he added.

Thirteen barangays in the city have also been placed under lockdown. No one except frontliners are allowed to leave the affected barangays.

“Kailangan ma-contact trace namin within 24 hours to 48 hours. So kailangan ma- contain na namin ‘yung mga taong ‘yun.” Dela Peña said.

"So pagna-contain na namin, nalaman namin ‘yung contact nitong taong nag positve na ito is within this area so yung street na ‘yun or ‘yung purok lang na ‘yun ang ila-lockdown natin, but the whole barangay will be lifted,” he added.

Only essential travel is allowed within the city as tourism is discouraged. The city is also eyeing to prohibit visitors in the following weeks.

On July 25, the city reported 14 new COVID-19 cases, followed by 15 new cases the next day. At present, the city has a total of 47 cases.

Magalong considers this the second wave of COVID-19 in the city, which is still placed under a modified general community quarantine. — Joahna Lei Casilao/BM, GMA News