Starting today, Friday, October 23, Baguio City will observe shortened curfew hours to help businesses recover as the city gradually opens its economy.
Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong said that curfew hours in the city are now from 12 midnight to 4 o’clock in the morning. Previously, city residents are restricted from going out starting at 10 o’clock in the evening until 4 o’clock the following morning.
Image: Facebook/Public Information Office-City of Baguio
He explained that the decision was based on the city government’s resolve to further relax curfew restrictions to help businesses bounce back from the losses they incurred during the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
“In-extend na rin namin ang aming curfew. Dati kasi 10 pm until 4am. Ngayon, 12 midnight up to 4:00. Hinabaan naming para naman makarecover na ‘yung restaurants and business establishments,” Mayor Magalong said.
Last Friday, residents from Luzon, including those coming from Metro Manila, were able to visit and stay in Baguio again after months of restrictive lockdown.
Magalong said that they pushed through with their plans of opening city borders to tourists despite recent findings that classify Baguio City among the cities which are at high-risk for Covid-19 infections due to the increasing number of cases per day and critical care occupancy.
He assured that the city government will continue its contact tracing and testing efforts while its jumpstarts tourism.
Image: Facebook/Public Information Office-City of Baguio
“There will always be surges once we open up our economy. There will always be surges, there will always be increases in the number of cases, he added.
He pointed out that the beauty lies in learning how to manage the cases and in the experience gained.
“Kami hindi kami nagpanic dito noong nakita ko na tumaas. Sabi ko ituloy lang natin ang ating programa,” Mayor Magalong added.
Baguio City is also the host city for the staging of Miss Universe Philippine 2020 final’s night.
