This Week in Baguio and Ilocos (October 30 to November 5, 2021)

Like most areas in the country, Baguio City will also close its private and public cemeteries from residents during Undas week from October 30 to November 3 [1]. Mayor Benjamin Magalong signed the Executive Order (EO) 124, which indicates a schedule of visitation per district up to November 30 with an exemption of the closure days; doing this limits crowds in cemeteries. This order will also affect the visitation of residents from La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba, and Tublay (LISTT), which are allotted six days during the allowed time frame.

Visitors are reminded to follow strict health and safety protocols, like wearing face masks and face shields. Proper social distancing must also be observed. Those who are showing flu-like symptoms are also prohibited from entering cemeteries. Children and senior citizens above 65 years old are also not allowed to enter. Items like alcoholic drinks, weapons, radios, and gambling materials are also not allowed.

Starting last October 22, four areas in Ilocos Sur have reverted to MECQ, which will last for two weeks. These areas include Candon City and municipalities of Galimuyod, Narvacan, and San Emilio. These areas were selected since it currently has 1,743 active cases as of October 22. The remaining areas not mentioned will be under general community quarantine (GCQ) until October 31. During MECQ, residents are only allowed to move for essential travels that authorities must permit. Checkpoints will be strictly monitored. As for returnees, negative antigen tests are required to be taken 24 hours before entry. LGU coordination is also needed. Saliva testing is also a valid substitute for COVID-19 testing as long as taken within 72 hours before access. Minors ages three and below are exempted from testing [2].

No Ilocos school will participate in the scheduled trial of face-to-face classes all over the Philippines on November 15. According to the Department of Health, only 30 schools will participate that passed evaluations and requirements set by the Department of Education and Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) [3]. The selected schools were deemed low-risk. As for Ilocos, 57 schools in the region were considered but still need assessment from DOH-Region 1.

Limited F2F classes will apply to preschool to senior high school in low-risk areas.

Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong announced that Baguio City will be allowing fully vaccinated individuals to enter the city for leisure travels starting last October 25. This decision hopes to jumpstart the city’s economic activities after being under strict lockdown levels for a long time. However, fully vaccinated tourists from areas under Alert Levels 4 and 5 and enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) are still not allowed to visit [4]. Unvaccinated and partially vaccinated tourists are also not allowed to enter.

Tourists must first sign up on visita.baguio.gov.ph at least a day before their travels. They should present vaccination certificates or cards on the website. Meanwhile, unvaccinated children ages 12 to 17 must show negative COVID-19 test results taken within 72 hours before travel; if none, they must undergo screening at the city triage. For those below 11 years old, guardians and parents must give consent before testing. Visitors of all ages must first undergo screening via the city triage. Whether vaccinated or not, those found symptomatic will be isolated and tested for the city to take proper actions.

Individual registrations are only limited to 2,000 as of now. All visitors must also strictly follow mandatory health protocols like wearing face masks, face shields, and proper physical distancing.

Since the vaccination drive in the Ilocos region, over 1,500 college students have been inoculated with vaccines against COVID-19. The vaccination drive is part of the preparation for limited F2F classes [5]. Those encouraged to get vaccinated like students who are taking up courses in hotel and restaurant management, engineering and technology, health-related studies, tourism, marine engineering, and marine transportation.

Visit Yoorekka Consumer Magazine for more travel and COVID-19 updates and guidelines in Baguio and Ilocos!