BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Benjamin Magalong called on residents and visitors to get into the habit of wearing facemasks again, especially in indoor settings, as the number of Covid-19 cases here increases. According to Magalong, the plan to bring back the wearing of face masks is part of the city's proactive stance to continue protecting the health of the citizens. He revealed that an executive order is now being prepared to re-enforce the facemask requirement. Residents and visitors are also advised to continue to practice minimum public health standards such as wearing a facemask, avoiding shaking hands, and regular hand washing. "I have also contacted Church leaders to observe wearing facemasks and re-enforce the minimum public health standards. Let's avoid shaking hands first, but fist bumps first, this is a way for us to avoid the increase in Covid cases," said Magalong. He said people are not being controlled as the order is meant only to protect them in the face of increase in Covid cases. "Here at the City Hall we will enforce the wearing of facemasks on employees and even on visitors,” Magalong stressed. Magalong said the increase of Covid-19 cases is nevertheless gradual, and that the past three days saw a remarkable decrease. Still, Magalong said the city cannot take chances because there are no plans to restrict the people’s movement now that economic activities in the city are in full swing. “There is no need to control movement or limit gatherings and events. We will only be careful to protect not only our residents but also residents of nearby areas as well as visitors from other localities by wearing masks in indoor areas and by avoiding handshakes and fist bumping instead," Magalong said. He said the increase in cases could be linked to the new XBB.1.16 variant named “Arcturus,” which is said to be more infectious than the dominant Omicron. He said that the symptoms of the current cases so far are mild and the hospital utilization rate is low, so the “Summer Capital” still remains on Alert Level 1 status. The changing weather patterns in the city could have been the possible reason why a person easily gets sick.