Baguio businesses ready as city opens to Region 1 tourists

Businesses in Baguio have established various health protocols in preparation for the city opening itself up to visitors from Region 1 amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

According to Darlene Cay’s report on “24 Oras,” even a Taho vendor had installed a mobile application for cashless payment to avoid contact with patrons.

“Mas [convenient] po kasi ito, eh. Itong nagagawa ng... pay na naisip ko na hindi na hand to hand ang pag-babayad. So ang nangyayari na po sa atin ngayon sa pandemic dahil ang pera po ay marumi,” Amante Ocampo said.

Meanwhile, a boat renter at Burnham Park had placed plastic barriers as well as other safety measures for their customers.

“Turista lang po talaga ‘yung inaasahan namin na income dito kaya mahirap po na hindi nakakapasok ‘yung ibang taga, ‘yung ibang region dito sa Baguio kasi sa kanila lang po umaasa ‘yung income namin,” Adrian Rosario said.

On Friday morning, several government officials checked the health and safety protocols which were being implemented by businesses on Session Road.

"Halos wala akong nakikitang pagkakaiba doon sa Session Road bago mag-COVID. Ang pagkakaiba lang ‘yung mga tao, naka-mask, naka face shield, at nag didistansya,” National Action Plan Against COVID-19 deputy chief Vince Dizon said.

The inspection was part of the preparations for the admission of Region 1 tourists on September 22.

“Alam niyo kasi Baguio could afford to open kasi ito nga ‘yung model city pag dating doon sa testing, pag dating doon sa tracing, at pag dating doon sa isolation. Napapakita ng Baguio na hindi naman dapat isakripisyo ang ekonomiya para sa kalusugan,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said.

However, only 200 tourists will be allowed entry into the city next week.

“We would just like to start this slow and then experience it, learn from it, manage it, and then gradually increase it. Kaya nga sinasabi namin, it would be a calibrated, gradual opening of our tourism industry,” Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong said.

Tourists who want to visit must first register in the Baguio Visita application. They will also be required to undergo COVID-19 testing before being allowed to tour the city, with the testing to be paid for by the tourist.

Based on the latest update, Baguio has reported a total of 487 COVID-19 cases. Of this, 180 are active, 358 have recovered, and 11 had succumbed to the illness. — Joahna Lei Casilao/DVM, GMA News