IATF allows Baguio hotels to accommodate leisure travelers

Hotels and other accommodation establishments in Baguio City may now accept leisure travelers even as the tourist destination reverted to general community quarantine (GCQ) this month to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Health protocols and contact tracing measures must be strictly observed, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said, citing the resolution of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF).

The IATF’s approval stemmed from the request of the Baguio City government.

Several personalities, including Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong, drew criticisms following the birthday celebration of eventologist Tim Yap at The Manor at Camp John Hay on January 17 where COVID-19 protocols were allegedly not followed.

Magalong later apologized to the public and resigned as head of the government’s contact tracing efforts.

His resignation was not accepted by the pandemic task force, whose top officials vowed to convince Magalong to change his mind. —Virgil Lopez/KBK, GMA News