This Week in Northern Luzon (June 20 to 26, 2020)

President Rodrigo Duterte has placed Baguio and Ilocos under modified general community quarantine. The Local City Government of Baguio has also released guidelines for its residents. The omnibus guidelines state that a curfew between 9:00 PM to 4:00 AM will still be in effect except for those who are working in permitted establishments. A temporary liquor ban will be implemented, and entry to the city will be restricted. This exempts duly authorized workers including medical frontliners, government officials, and cargo services that transport food and non-food items. Those who need to enter the city must undergo mandatory thermal scanning and triage assessment. As for the rest of the residents, all are required to stay home and may only leave for the purpose of buying necessities including food and medicine. [1 & 2]

The Public Information Office of Baguio has released transportation guidelines for residents who wish to return and those who are leaving the city. In a social media post, the PIO listed down the people who are allowed to apply for a travel authority and the requirements they must submit. Below are those who need a travel authority:

1. Locally Stranded Individuals (LSI's) returning to their home provinces/cities

2. Indispensable (Essential) Travels (IT) going out of Baguio for the following reasons: family emergency, medical emergency, and for humanitarian reasons

Workers and other authorized people do not need to acquire a travel authority. However, they must present a Certificate of Employment, Employment ID, or Business Permit at checkpoints. They are also required to update their Health Declaration Form at https://hdf.baguio.gov.ph/ whenever they will enter the city, and they must submit themselves to health assessment at Triage. To get the complete list of all the requirements and guidelines, visit the Public Information Office - City of Baguio’s Official Facebook page. [3]

The Local Government of Baguio released an executive order regarding the city’s temporary plan on transportation while it is under MGCQ. From June 16 until June 30, 2020, the Baguio City Number Coding Scheme will take effect and will apply to all private vehicles and motorcycles travelling within the City of Baguio. Under the scheme, vehicles with plates ending in 1 and 2 are prohibited on Mondays; 3 and 4 on Tuesdays; 5 and 6 on Wednesdays; 7 and 8 on Thursdays; 9 and 0 on Fridays.

Health workers, uniformed personnel, utility services, and those authorized by the IATF are exempted from this rule. Public Utility Jeepneys or PUJs are also exempted from the given guidelines from June 16 to June 30. They may only operate from 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM, provided that they will only fill 50% of their full capacity. Those who already have LTFRB Special Permits and vehicles that have been inspected by the Land Transportation Office shall be prioritized for permitted operations. Cargos and delivery trucks are still allowed to go in and out of the central business district, provided that they follow the truck ban time and window time given. Taxis may operate from 6:00 AM to 6:00 AM the following day and must observe a strict “No Face Mask, No Ride” policy. The use of passenger logbooks must also be followed [4].

Areas under general community quarantine are now allowed limited dine-in operations in restaurants. Restaurants are only allowed 30% of their dine-in capacity starting June 15, 2020. These food establishments must still strictly follow safety precautions including social distancing, wearing of protective equipment, and regular disinfection and sanitation. [5]

Go to Yoorekka for more COVID-19 updates in Northern Luzon.