Baguio City placed under Citywide Community Quarantine

UPDATE: Entire Luzon is now under Enhanced Community Quarantine

After the executive-legislative meeting held earlier today at the Baguio City Hall, as per Executive Order No. 065-20, Baguio City will be placed under community quarantine in order to keep the locality free from Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19).

According to the EO, the city will be under community quarantine starting today, March 16 up to April 15, 2020.

Baguio City Community Quarantine

Mayor Magalong clarified that it would not mean a lockdown because MOVEMENT WILL NOT BE TOTALLY RESTRICTED. However, there will be measures put in place for the strict implementation of the quarantine.

Provisions of the Citywide Community Quarantine

• aggressive checkpoints and curfew
• extension of class suspension until April 15, 2020
• shortened operation of commercial establishments in Baguio City

The mayor’s decision to implement the quarantine was brought about by the surge and continuous arrival of travelers coming from Manila and the increasing number of Covid-19 transmission nationwide among others.

Community Quarantine Guidelines

Pursuant to guidelines set by Resolutions No. 11 and 12 of the Inter-agency Task Force for the Management of Infectious Disease. In the interest of public security and safety in light of the current State of Public Health Emergency, the following shall be in force:

• Only those persons with essential travel purpose, or employment/business in the city shall be allowed to enter.

As advised by the DOH and HSO, the following persons are directed to remain in their homes at all times for being at high risk to the effects of COVID-19:

• Those over the age of Sixty (60) years old and above.
• Immunocompromised persons
• Pregnant Women
• Minors
• Persons with history of pulmonary ailments or disease

• Movement of all residents and persons sojourning within the City of Baguio shall be restricted to their respective residences, save for when they need to leave for purpose of work or to access basic needs and medication, to seek medical aid and assistance, or to attend to urgent and necessary personal errands only.
• Non-essential social gatherings such as those held in bars, recreation centers, public parks, hospitality industry businesses, conference and function halls, and other similar venues are disallowed while the Executive Order is in effect
• All business establishments are restricted from mass gatherings such as, but not limited to, general assemblies, large meetings, conference, outdoor events that attract large crowds and non-essential work-related event.
• Religious institutions and religious groups are encouraged to defer their mass gatherings, or to find alternate methods of practice and worship such as online service, and other means that will not require the assembly of large crowds.
• Government offices shall continue to serve the public, but shall operate in accordance with Civil Service Memorandum No. 5 Series of 2020, which provides for alternative work arrangements and support mechanisms for government workers.
• Employers in the private sector are encouraged to utilize flexible work arrangements and work-from-home schedules for their employees, in furtherance of guidelines as issued by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) or the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
• The suspension of classes in all levels for public and private school and other institutions of learning, as stated in Executive Order No. 60, Series of 2020, is extended until 15 April 2020, or until assessment by the COVID-19 inter-agency task force. Technical-Vocational Institutions, ESL schools, review centers and tutorial centers shall also be covered hereby. School officials and administrators are encouraged to formulate alternative methods of learning for their students.
• Public Transport within the city shall not be hindered but must operate in compliance with the DOTR sectoral guidelines on Social Distancing and Community Quarantine.
• Cargo and supply deliveries to and from the city shall NOT be hindered, subject to the observance of strict sanitation methods and practices.

Checkpoints at Major Entry Points to Baguio City

The Health Services Office (HSO), with the help of the PNP-BCPO, and Naval and Army Reserve Commands, shall maintain checkpoint stations on major entry points to Baguio City until April 15, 2020, or until further assessment of the COVID-19 Inter-Agency Task Force.

Mandatory Examination and Submission of Health Declaration Forms upon entry to Baguio City

All persons entering Baguio City on essential travel or functions are required to:

• Present proof of residency, employment or necessity of business in Baguio City
• Submit themselves to mandatory temperature screening, which shall be made available in all main access points in and out of Baguio City. Persons who refuse to submit themselves to temperature screening shall not be allowed to enter the city
• Those who have registered a body temperature of 37.6 degrees and above, after undergoing validation tests, shall be directed to immediately report to the nearest government hospital for further examination, or isolation, if so necessary.
• Upon arrival at checkpoint, persons entering into the city must accomplish and submit Health Declaration Forms wherein they shall provide their names, addresses, contact numbers, purpose of entry to the city, and other information. Those travelling by bus must also register their bus name, plate number, and seat number so as to ensure efficient contact tracing, if necessary.

Download Health Declaration Form here.

Privacy of Information

Any and all information collated at the checkpoints are only for the purpose of creating an organized and efficient method for contact tracing in cases of persons who are either under investigation, under monitoring, or who shall be placed under treatment for Covid-19, and in order to formulate immediate and efficient disease response and surveillance mechanisms.

Restrictions on Government Facilities

In order to avert non-essential gatherings, and to promote the practice of social distancing, the following facilities shall be subject to rules as stated herein for the duration of the term of this Community Quarantine:

The following city administered facilities shall be CLOSED:

• Burnham Children’s Park
• Dominican Hill & Heritage Park
• Mines View Park
• Wright Park
• Baguio Convention Center
• Botanical Garden
• Baguio City Public Library
• And other places where people may converge for non-essential gatherings

ALL government facilities and offices, and their attached bureaus or annexes, shall remain OPEN and shall operate in accordance with Section 1, paragraph b.

Restrictions on Private Facilities

The following private establishments SHALL BE CLOSED during the duration of the Community Quarantine:

• Bars, KTVs, cocktail lounges, and other similar establishments;
• Theater halls and movie houses;
• Learning institutions
• Schools;
• Review centers;
• Tutorial centers and other institutions of learning
• Recreation Centers
• Basketball courts
• Badminton courts
• Billiard halls
• Small Town Lottery
• Bingo Hall
• Gyms
• Swimming Pools
• Other similar recreation centers
• Spas, salons, massage parlors, and other similar establishments

Private establishments with LIMITED operations:

The following private establishments, whether operating within malls or not, shall have limited operations:

• Groceries, stores, markets, supermarkets, and 24/7 convenience stores;
• Pharmacies, drug stores, and medical supplies stores;
• Banks and other similar financial institutions;
• General Merchandise, Retail, and Hardware stores;
• Pawnshops;
• Internet shops;
• Medical clinics, diagnostic centers, medical laboratories, and dental clinics;
• Funeral homes;
• Accommodation
• Hotels, condotels, motels, dormitories, and transient houses shall continue to operate, however, their attached restaurants or coffee shops shall cater to their clients only;
• Receiving offices for utilities;
• Restaurants, eateries, cafes, coffee shops, and other similar establishments may continue to operate for take-out and delivery orders only.

All establishments allowed to remain open on limited operations shall exercise utmost hygiene and sanitation, and shall enforce strict social distancing, use of facial masks, and such other advisories as prescribed by the Department of Health (DOH) and Health Services Office (HSO), and in furtherance of E.O. No. 32 and 59, series of 2020.

Curfew

In addition to the curfew for minors as provided in Ordinance No. 23, Series of 2018, a curfew of for all persons in the city shall be implemented fromin the hours of 10:00 o’clock in the evening to 4:00 o’clock the next morning for the period of 16 March 2020 until 15 April 2020, or until further assessment by the COVID-19 Inter-Agency Task Force. The following persons, however, shall be exempt from the curfew, to with:

• Those persons working in establishment or businesses with a work schedule within the curfew period,
  • subject to the presentation of a valid employee’s ID;
• Health workers;
• Members of the BHERTs;
• Authorized government officials;
• Persons providing basic goods, services, and utilities;
• Persons delivering food and medicine;
• Cargo and other logistic services;
• Members of the PNP, AFP, BFP, OCD, and EMS;
• Other persons as may be authorized by the COVID-19 Inter-Agency Task Force;

Self-quarantine and treatment for PUI, PUM, AND PERSONS INFECTED WITH COVID-19

Persons under investigation (PUI), Persons under Monitoring (PUM) shall undergo strict self-quarantine at home, under the supervision and advise of the BHERTs in their respective barangays in furtherance of training guidelines from the DOH and HSO.

Any person who refuses herewith may be held liable for violation of the provisions of Republic Act No. 11332 (The Law of Reporting of Communicable Disease), and other applicable laws under the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines. Any further guidelines, procedures, and mechanisms to be prescribed by Resolution of the COVID-19 Inter-Agency Task Force shall have suppletory effect hereto;

Compliance of business establishments and offices with this order, as well, as DTI orders on Prices of Commodities

Business establishments and offices are expected to give full and faithful compliance with the rules as stated herein. Failure to comply may be held as a ground for revocation of their business permit.

The following are strongly reminded to comply with the DTI advisory on price freeze for basic commodities while the country is under a State of Public Heath Emergency:

• stores, markets, supermarkets, groceries, and other similar retailers of basic goods, pharmacies, and drug stores

What is the DIFFERENCE between LOCKDOWN and COMMUNITY QUARANTINE?

Lockdown

• Everyone is mandated to stay at home
• The government will bring basic needs to every house
• One household member is allowed to buy food and necessities from neighborhood establishments

Community Quarantine

• People can freely go out to go to their workplaces.
• basic services including public transportation will continue to operate.
• Movement is with restrictions to avoid the spread of the virus to other cities/provinces.

SOURCE: Public Information Office-Baguio Facebook Page