Baguio might ‘gradually reopen’ tourism by September

Baguio City is planning to let tourists visit the Summer Capital as soon as next month, but not without regulation and close monitoring.

According to an advisory posted on the Baguio City Public Information Office Facebook page, the local government has announced plans to “gradually reopen tourism with regulated, controlled entry and monitored movement by September.”

The advisory says tourists will be required to pre-register through an online system called Baguio Visitor Information & Travel Assistance (VISITA), which will be launched within the month.

Tourists need to have “pre-booked accommodation” preferably through accredited tour operators, and declare their itinerary.

Before visitors can go around the city, they must undergo “mandatory triage and PCR testing,” which they will pay for themselves.

The local government says tourists’ movement will be “closely monitored by tour operators and/or hotel management.”

The post also lists guidelines for tour operations and hotels, as well as tourism managers.

As declared by President Rodrigo Duterte over the weekend, the National Capital Region and the provinces of Bulacan, Laguna, Cavite, and Rizal would be placed under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) from Aug. 4-18. – Margaret Claire Layug/RC, GMA News