Baguio remains open to Region 1 tourists despite spike in COVID-19 cases —Magalong

Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong on Thursday said the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in the city will not affect its tourism industry.

Interviewed on Super Radyo dzBB, Magalong said Baguio will remain open to Region 1 tourists and will not be placed under lockdown.

“Outbreaks will always occur especially with our COVID-19 cases because people come in and out of the city. We’re still allowing people to come in and out… at the same time, may mga vegetable dealers and flower dealers din tayo na they come in and out,” he said.

“In managing COVID-19, it can’t always be risk aversion. ‘Di puwedeng lagi na lang lockdown. We have to open up but at the same time manage the situation… ‘Di kami nag-pa-panic because we know kaya naman namin i-handle so we continue to open our economy,” he added.

Magalong added that the outbreak in 2 barangays, which triggered the spike, was already contained due to the city government’s contact tracing efforts.

“Nagkaroon ng outbreak sa isang barangay. Sixty-four out of 160 butchers were infected… but we  were able to contain it. Naayos na natin lahat ‘yon,” he said.

“May infection din na 100 plus na trainees ng Philippine National Police pero we were able to contain it. In fact, anytime soon, ma-re-release na sila doon sa kanilang quarantine area so bumababa na rin ang cases,” he added.

Moreover, he said they are still intensifying their contact tracing and testing.

He also said almost 83% of their cases were the result of contact tracing and expanded testing. — Ma. Angelica Garcia/RSJ, GMA News