DOH confident quarantine protocols won’t be violated as Baguio City allows leisure travelers

The Department of Health has expressed confidence that COVID-19 quarantine protocols will be strictly implemented in Baguio City.

Health Undersecretary Rosario Vergeire made the response Friday after the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) decided to allow hotels in Baguio City to accept travelers for tourism or leisure purposes.

The IATF’s policy was issued less than two weeks after Baguio City mMyor Benjamin Magalong and a handful of celebrities drew sharp criticisms for partying in a posh hotel in the Summer Capital of the Philippines, with the dancing of the crowd without wearing a mask captured in videos that have since gone viral.

“Meron po tayong protocols depende sa risk classification ng area and based sa regulations po ng Department of Tourism na kailangang sundin. Makakaasa naman po kami na si Mayor Magalong ay very strict na maipapatupad ang mga pamantayang ito,” Vergeire said in an online briefing.

“Observance of minimum health standards pa rin (wearing of face mask, face shield, social distancing, prohibition of mass gathering), iyong testing, monitoring ng mga travelers sa kanilang lugar,” she added.

Baguio City is under general community quarantine (GCQ) due to recent increase in COVID-19 cases there.

GCQ protocol prohibits mass gatherings such as but not limited to, movie screenings, concerts, sporting events, and other entertainment activities, community assemblies, and non-essential work gatherings.

Likewise, GCQ protocol only allows 10 people in a room at the time, provided that they wear face mask, face shield and observe social distancing.

Irreplaceable

Magalong, who was present during the party in question, has since offered to resign from his post as the country’s contract tracing czar.

Magalong initially said his resignation was irrevocable, but has voiced out willingness to stay put as long as President Rodrigo Duterte wants him to.

National Task Force Against COVID-19 Chief Carlito Galvez Jr. has also rejected Magalong’s resignation, calling the Baguio city mayor and retired police officer irreplaceable.

The hotel where the party was held, for its part, was slapped with a fine worth at least P9,000 by the Baguio City local government unit. Individuals who violated the quarantine protocols, on the other hand, were fined P1,500 each. — RSJ, GMA News