Border restrictions for entry and exit to several towns in Benguet, including this city, have been reimposed following the recorded cases of the new coronavirus variant, B1.1.7, in the Cordillera region.
In a resolution, the chief executives of the BLISTT (Baguio, La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba and Tublay) that compose the advisory council approved on Tuesday night the reimposition of strict border controls.
“All BLISTT travelers for purposes of work, or to avail of essential goods and services shall present medical certificate or medical clearance issued by any licensed physician,” the council’s resolution read.
The council consisting of mayors agreed to reimpose the requirement taking into consideration the recent developments on the UK variant and the region’s shifting back to general community quarantine starting Feb. 1.
The B1.1.7 variant was found in several patients from Bontoc, Mountain Province and La Trinidad, Benguet.
Non-resident travelers coming to BLISTT from other regions, provinces, cities and municipalities must present their travel authority, permit and medical certificate issued in their place of origin.
“For those coming to Baguio, the process provided in https://hdf.baguio.gov.ph for non-tourists and https://visitat.baguio.gov.ph/ for tourists shall apply,” the advisory said.
Persons traveling for medical appointments or consultation need to show proof of their confirmed appointments while those with medical emergencies will be allowed to pass through freely.
Supplies of any kind, utilities, waste management will be given unhampered movement.
Earlier on Jan. 22, the La Trinidad municipal council issued Resolution 1-2021 recommending strict observance of proactive measures to curb the increasing number of Covid-19 cases.
The order took effect on Jan. 23, the same day that the Department of Health confirmed the presence of the UK variant in the region.
As of Tuesday, Baguio recorded 90 new cases, bringing its active cases to 558. Benguet province recorded 50 new cases with a total tally of 255 active cases.
The Cordillera region has 1,823 total active cases with 148 deaths.
“The good outcome of this practice is the safety and welfare of his people and of the constituents of the rest of the BLISTT. Though we are all separate and distinct local government units, the communities of BLISTT are so intertwined that it is inevitable that the Covid-19 incidents of one will ultimately affect the others,” the advisory read. (PNA)
