Baguio eases restrictions, shortens curfew hours

By Liza Agoot  

BAGUIO CITY – The city government here is further easing restrictions with the shortening of the curfew hours from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. to 12 midnight to 4 a.m. 
    Executive Order 59 “An order revising portions of the general guidelines for the city of Baguio," issued by Mayor Benjamin Magalong on Oct. 27 applies to all residents except those working in front-line services, medical services, security services, and permitted industries.
    The order also identified persons prohibited outside residence like those below 15 years old and those above 65 years old, those with underlying health conditions and co-morbidities.
    “(They) shall stay in their residences at all times except when necessary to access food and basic necessities, to accomplish necessary errands, to attend permitted activities, attend to medical emergencies or confirmed medical appointments with their health care providers or to report for work,” the order stated.
    It also said entry into the city shall be regulated through mandatory entry protocols that shall be issued in subsequent advisories, which may be revised or amended according to the prevailing coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) situations.
    Earlier, Magalong issued an order allowing children below 21 and senior citizens in the city to go out for leisure during Sunday.     The earlier order came as a measure to address the mental health issues confronting people who have been locked in their homes for months since the declaration of the enhanced community quarantine.
    This came with the opening of some city parks and the Camp John Hay that allowed the said age groups to go and visit for relaxation.
    The city government’s easing of restrictions coincides with the Inter Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) issued on October 15 which revised guidelines for travel and age-based home restrictions as well as the Department of Trade and Industry memorandum directing an increase in allowable operational capacity.
    This city has been classified under the modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) since May 30, 2020 and several easing up of movement restrictions have been enforced to allow the public to learn to live under the new normal. -- PNA