Implement health protocols as city welcomes tourists
This has reference to the reported increase in Covid-19 cases in Baguio City starting the third week of June this year.
According to some sources, some bus companies have been implementing the standard health protocols of checking passengers who have vaccination cards and booster shots before boarding.
Upon arrival or disembarkation at terminals in Baguio, the passengers go through the same screening procedure.
But some bus companies do not follow this procedure anymore while the screening process is less stringent at the checkpoints for those entering the city by private vehicles.
We are not sure if hotels and accommodation establishments still screen their guests, or require them to present their vaccination cards and follow the health protocols.
With the increase in tourist arrivals last month, we also noticed an increase in new Covid-19 cases or reinfections starting June 15.
There has also been a noticeable increase in gatherings.
May we bring these observations to the attention of the Department of Health and other concerned offices, including City Hall and the Baguio City Police Office, to strictly monitor tourists coming up to Baguio and for social gatherings to follow health protocols.
As concerned Baguio residents, we are aware of the many tourists coming up to the city, which is slowly recovering from the impacts of the pandemic.
But the reported increase in tourist arrivals might have triggered the increase of new Covid-19 cases or reinfections aside from humongous traffic situation, especially in areas where road repairs are ongoing.
Again, we earnestly request the concerned agencies to look into these public concerns. — RAM SHARMA, chairman, Baguio General Hospital Advisory Board