Baguio City opens to tourists amid GCQ

 

Baguio City opens to tourists amid GCQ

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By Edward Era Barbacena

The national government approved Baguio City's request to accommodate tourists in the "Summer Capital" but the local government's COVID-19 health policies should still be followed.

Based on Ian Cruz's report over "24 Oras," tourists must follow the point-to-point trips policy. They can only make a pit stop for emergencies or if they need to eat.

Likewise, tourists must also secure a negative RT/PCR test before going to the tourist destination.

In an interview, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Puyat said the government's pandemic task force approved Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong's request to accept tourists despite the imposed general community quarantine on the city.

Travel agency owner Patrcick Querubin hailed the move to reopen to help uplift tourism workers who became unemployed due to the pandemic.

According to Baguio authorities, tourists interested to go to the city must first schedule their visit through https://visita.baguio.gov.ph/.

Furthermore, based on Baguio's May 17 entry protocols, leisure travelers must also be able to present a valid government ID, and either a negative RT-PCR/AG/PRC Saliva test result, or they must be AG tested at the City Central Triage.

Meanwhile, in Benguet, the local government there has yet to accept tourists as they are still under modified enhanced community quarantine status. Currently, the province reported 400 active cases, which is lower than 700 active cases reported in the last two weeks.

Earlier, the national government revealed that there will be no more age restrictions for leisure travel in general community quarantine and modified general community quarantine areas.