BAGUIO CITY – Despite the announcement made by the mayor of Bontoc that the United Kingdom variant of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has been detected in his town, Mayor Benjamin Magalong here said that the city will not be placed on any lockdown.
Magalong said he was actually assuming that the UK variant, said to be more contagious than the original strain, was already in the city.
Thus, he reiterated his appeal to residents to continue to diligently follow health protocols, like wearing of face masks and shields.
“It has come to our attention that posts and messages about a city-wide lockdown have been circulating. Please be informed that Baguio City will not be put on lockdown on February 1 to 15, 2021.” Magalong said.
He said that, consonance with national and locally-crafted orders, the city was still under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) up to January 31, and that stringent measures were already being implemented to arrest the surge in the number of COVID-19 cases, and the spread of the new variant in the city.
"We beg your indulgence to comply with our health measures and on our part, we will continue to do our best to address this concern with all our control systems in place. Let's continue to help each other," Magalong appealed.
Earlier, Magalong issued an advisory that minors below the age of 15 were still not allowed to go out of their homes, while senior citizens were also encouraged to stay home at all times, except when going out for essential travels from January 19 to February 1.
Magalong said this was part of the “hammer and dance” principle, which consists of temporary restriction of economic activities and gradual lifting of limitations as the incidence of COVID-19 cases rises and falls.
The city recorded another record-high in the number of new cases of COVID-19 at 76 on Friday, January 22.
Magalong also ordered the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) and the Public Order and Safety Division (POSD) to send home persons not wearing face shields.
He also asked drivers of public utility jeepneys (PUJs) and taxis not to give ride to commuters who do not comply with the face mask and face shield requirements. Face mask law offenders face fines ranging from P500 to P3,000.