This Week in Northern Luzon (February 6 to 12, 2021)

Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong announced that the Cordillera Administrative Region including Baguio City will be reverting back to GCQ or general community quarantine starting February 1 to February 28, 2021. Below are the following guidelines that shall be applied during the given period of time:

1. People within Baguio City must always wear face masks and have their face shields on hand at all times, especially when leaving their residences. Strict social distancing of at least one (1) meter radius must also be observed at all times.

2. All persons below the age of fifteen (15) and over the age of sixty-five (65) shall stay in their residences, except when:

• Availing essential goods and services

• Working in permitted industries

• Seeking medical attention or consultation

• Participating in permitted activities

Minors below 15 years old must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times. They shall not be allowed to enter enclosed crowd spaces such as groceries, markets, supermarkets, and cinemas

3. A general curfew from 10:00 PM to 4:00 AM shall be imposed in the city except in the following places:

• pharmacies

• grocery stores

• other retail establishments for medicine, food, and other essential commodities

4. There shall be a temporary ban on the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages and liquor from 8:00 PM to 10:00 AM.

To get the complete list of guidelines, visit Baguio City Guide’s official website or Facebook page. [1]

La Trinidad, Benguet is also under GCQ And has also released updated quarantine guidelines that must be followed:

1. People coming from other areas must observe a 14-day quarantine.

2. Residents are encouraged to stay at home and may leave when buying essential goods.. Physical distancing must always be observed.

3. Face masks must be used at all times.

4. Regular hand washing must also be observed.

5. All establishments must obey guidelines on sanitation, disinfecting, physical distancing, and have disinfectants readily available for public use at the entrance and exit.

6. A non-smoking ordinance and “no spitting of momma” policy will be strictly enforced in public places.

7. Sale of liquor for home consumption will be allowed for a 45-day period to be reckoned from January 8, 2021. If cases will rise due to alcohol consumption, the municipality shall revert to a total liquor ban.

8. Curfew hours in La Trinidad will be from 8:00 PM to 6:00 AM.

To get the complete list of GCQ Guidelines in La Trinidad, visit Baguio City Guide’s official website or Facebook page. [2]

Kadiwa Market on Wheels, a traveling public market, announced its new schedule for February to March. The project aims to help bring the public market closer to the homes of the people to encourage them to stay at home and discourage them from leaving their residences. Below is the updated schedule of the Kadiwa Market on Wheels:

1. February 11, Thursday - Municipality of Dumalneg- Public Market

2. February 18, Thursday - People’s Center- Bangui

3. February 26, Friday - Burgos Municipal Auditorium

4. March 3, Wednesday - Pob 2, Basketball Court, Pasuquin

5. March 11, Thursday - PCV Auditorium, Bacarra

Residents who plan on buying from the roving market are encouraged to bring their own eco-bags . [3]

After Baguio City shifted to a stricter quarantine status, Mayor Benjamin Magalong said that the city will not be allowed to accept tourists. He added that they are currently waiting for the Department of Tourism’s approval and endorsement to the COVID-19 task force in allowing them to receive tourists despite being placed under GCQ. Magalong also mentioned that they cannot violate the IATF guidelines and must strictly comply with it. For the meantime, tourists will not be allowed to visit the province, but those with reservations for Febraury as asked to keep them as the city waits for the approval of its tourism petition. [4]

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