Non-essential travel barred in Baguio, 5 Benguet towns

MANILA, Philippines — Non-essential travel among residents of Baguio and La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba and Tublay towns in Benguet has been barred for two weeks starting today to minimize the risk of transmission of COVID-19.

“Health experts have agreed that mobility plays a huge part in community transmission... We have agreed that there is an urgent necessity to implement methods to minimize non-essential travel between and within our respective areas for a limited period of time so that we can help each other bring our collective cases down and avoid a possible escalation of quarantine classifications similar to what happened in the NCR (National Capital Region) plus,” a joint resolution approved by the mayors of the six local government units on Monday read.

The local chief executives cited the more than 3,000 active COVID-19 cases in the Cordilleras, adding that hospitals in Benguet are near full capacity.

The average daily attack rate in the Cordilleras was classified as high-risk, with 15.5 percent per 100,000 population.

Only workers and authorized persons outside of residence are allowed to pass through provincial checkpoints provided they present either their employment ID or business permit.

Persons with transactions in government and private agencies as well as those with medical appointments will be asked to show proof at the borders.

The mayors said passage for cargos, delivery and logistics of goods, especially food products, utilities and fuel, would remain unhampered.

In Baguio City, a travel ban on tourists coming from Metro Manila and nearby provinces remains in effect.