Baguio suspends non-essential travel

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Non-essential travel to this city was suspended for one week starting yesterday.

Mayor Benjamin Magalong said the local inter-agency task force on COVID-19 recommended the travel ban after authorities confirmed the emergence of the highly infectious Delta variant of COVID-19.

Magalong cited the “grave probability of another surge,” which prompted the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases to increase community quarantine classifications in Metro Manila and other areas identified as high risk.

“We will not be allowing non-APORs to travel to Baguio regardless of place of origin. Baguio will accept only travelers with indispensable purposes,” he said, referring to non-authorized persons outside of residence.

Magalong said the travel ban could be extended in case local transmission of Delta in high-risk areas is not contained.