BAGUIO CITY – Mayors of Baguio City, La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba and Tublay (BLISTT) agreed to impose stricter border restrictions anew in an attempt to arrest the surge in the incidence of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the threat of transmission of UK variant in their localities.
The Department of Health made particular mention on January 22 that one of the 17 UK variant cases was located in the City’s nearby town of La Trinidad.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong said the contact tracing team immediately started tracking the travel and contact history of the patient, eventually finding out that 1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation contacts had recently travelled to Baguio City.
With this, Magalong issued a call to Baguio residents who had attended or had contacts to attendees of two family gatherings held in Bontoc, Mt.Province on Dec. 25 and Dec. 26, 2020 to contact the City Health Services Office.
Magalong said COVID-19 cases in the city had potential links to UK variant cases in La Trinidad and Bontoc, with at least four COVID-19 cases in Baguio determined to have had possible connection to the Bontoc patients.
“The fact that these contacts are mobile and freely moving within the BLISTT, presents challenge to our contact tracing teams who are running against time to break the chain of transmission,” said Magalong in his advisory.
Mayor Magalong, La Trinidad Mayor Romeo Salda, Itogon Mayor Victorio Palangdan, Sablan Mayor Manuel Munar, Tuba Mayor Clarita Sal-ongan and Tublay Mayor Armando Lauro signed the Joint Advisory on Jan.26 and gave the green light for the re-imposition of the border restrictions From Feb. 1-15.
Effective February 1, all inter-BLISTT travelers for purposes of work, or to avail of essential goods and services, shall present Medical Certificates/Medical Clearance issued by any licensed physician stating the following that the resident has not exhibited flu-like symptoms as of the time of assessment.
These Certificates/Clearances shall be treated as valid for 10 days upon issuance.
Residents who need to enter Baguio for medical appointment or consultation need only show proof of their confirmed appointments, while those with immediate medical emergencies shall be allowed to pass through freely.
Likewise, cargo and logistics services, and utilities for water, electricity, telecommunications, IT, and waste management shall likewise be given unhampered passage, provided, their personnel maintain a no-contact policy and shall strictly observe minimum public health standards at all times.
Non-resident travelers coming to BLISTT from other regions, provinces, cities and municipalities must present their Travel Authority/Permit and Medical Certificate issued in their place of origin.