Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 16) — Famous summer destination Baguio City is reimposing the mandatory masking indoors amid the rise in COVID-19 cases.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong on Monday said residents and visitors are required to wear masks, especially in indoor establishments and places of worship.
He also clarified there will be no restrictions on movement.
\”Ipapatupad na ulit natin,\” Magalong told the media in Baguio City. \”We also advised sa city hall and other government offices, especially indoors. We are now requiring our constituents and visitors to be wearing their face masks. Avoid muna natin ang handshake…\”
\”Visitors and residents can roam around freely, ‘yun lang, kailangan ang face mask and other minimum public health standards,\” he added.
[Translation: We are bringing back the mask mandate. We already advised the city hall, government offices, especially those indoors. Let us avoid handshakes. Visitors and residents can roam around freely, but they need to wear their face masks and follow other minimum public health standards.]
The mayor said the City of Pines is averaging 13 new COVID-19 infections daily, but hospital utilization in the city is still at a low 15% since most patients are only showing mild symptoms.
\”Our forecast is that there will be an increasing trend in the next three or four weeks pa bago magrealize ang pag-plateau,\” he said. \”We suspect ito ang Arcturus variant. Kaya kailangan mas maingat tayo ngayon.\”
