Relaxed mask mandate in Baguio eyed

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — The wearing of face masks indoors and in crowded places in this city may no longer be mandatory.

Mayor Benjamin Magalong has said he is ready to relax the face mask requirement if the downtrend in COVID cases continues in the next two weeks.

Magalong said various indicators point to a decline in COVID cases in the past days.

“If we continue to maintain this trend... I will declare wearing of masks optional,” he said.

On May 17, Magalong issued an executive order reimposing the wearing of face masks indoors and in crowded areas after the city health office reported an uptrend in COVID cases.

He said the mask mandate applies even to non-residents amid an influx of tourists.

The mandatory use of face masks was implemented at the Baguio City hall, churches, other indoor locations and other places of convergence.

Magalong said contact tracing is being implemented again in the city to trace and treat those found positive for the virus.

He served as contract tracing czar at the height of the COVID pandemic.