The city government has ordered residents aged 65 years old and above to stay at home for a period of 10 days from Nov. 17 to 27.

“Our recent Covid-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) case data has shown that among our active cases since Nov. 1, 2020 — 44 cases — are over the age of 65. This has become a pressing concern as persons in this age group are most at risk of the effects of Covid-19 and a higher degree of medical attention is required for their care and recovery,” said City Mayor Benjamin Magalong in Executive Order 170-2020 issued on Monday (Nov. 16)

Magalong said that since the onset of modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) in Baguio, movement restrictions within the city for senior citizens have been particularly lenient as they are allowed to go out for leisure and non-essential purposes.

He said the city government respects and recognizes the need and desire of senior citizens to leave the confines of their homes but the statistics of Covid-19 cases raise concern for the welfare of the elderly.

“Considering the due care and concern that is afforded to our senior citizens, there is a need for a temporary strict implementation of stay-at-home restrictions for this particular age group,” the order said.

Senior citizens can be allowed to go out only for purposes of work, to seek medical attention, or when they have no non-high-risk relatives or acquaintances to assist them in acquiring necessary goods or access basic services.

“Non-work related social gatherings and activities for persons over the age of 65 are likewise suspended during the period,” it said.

It also ordered the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs to be closed for activities and physical walk-in transactions. A skeletal force is however ordered to report to address immediate concerns and queries.

Baguio has recorded 47 new cases on Nov. 15 with eight of them 60 years old and above.

The city has a total of 2,750 cases with 2,143 recoveries. (PNA)