Baguio City Guidelines During Alert Level 2 Released

The City Government of Baguio has released the guidelines which will be implemented in the city while it is under Alert Level 2. This, after the classification of Baguio City, was placed under Alert Level 2 from February 16-28, 2022 by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).

Related: Baguio City and Benguet Under Alert Level 2 From February 16-28, 2022

Salient Points

• General curfew and liquor ban lifted but may be re-imposed according to the COVID-19 situation in the city.
• Maximum capacity for permitted industries have been increased to a maximum of 50% seating capacity in indoor setting for fully vaccinated individuals only, and 70% seating capacity for outdoor setting.
• Guidelines for Election campaign activities have been added.

Alert Level 2 Guidelines

As per Executive Order No. 22, series of 2022, the following guidelines will be implemented for the duration the city is under Alert Level 2.

Minimum Public Health Standards

On the use of Face Masks

• All persons within the City of Baguio must wear face masks at all times, and shall strictly observe social/physical distancing whenever outside of their residences. Full coverage face shields may be worn over face masks in high-risk 3C environments such as health facilities, or where a particular establishment requires the use of the same for the safety of its staff and customers/clients.

Guidelines for Unvaccinated Individuals

• All unvaccinated persons, shall stay in their residences at all times, except when it shall be necessary to avail of essential goods or services, work in permitted industries, seek medical attention or consultation, or participate in permitted activities. For these exceptions, the following rules shall apply:
  1. Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated persons aged 17 and below may be allowed in enclosed spaces or indoor settings where the following qualifications are present:
     • A Safety Seal Certificate has been duly issued to the establishment/venue;
     • All staff and personnel in the establishment/venue are fully vaccinated; and
     • Persons aged 14 and below must be accompanied by a fully vaccinated adult companion.
  2. Notwithstanding the immediate preceding provision, persons aged 14 and below shall not be allowed inside indoor markets, supermarkets, grocery stores, and other similar high-risk & high-traffic 3C (Closed, Crowded, and Close Contact) environments.

Guidelines for Partially Vaccinated and Fully Vaccinated Individuals

• Partially vaccinated and fully vaccinated individuals are encouraged to always bring their vaccination documents when leaving the home for purposes of verification prior to entering enclosed establishments.

Entry Protocols and Guidelines

As per Executive Order No. 23-2022, below are the requirements for entry to the City of Baguio effective February 21, 2022:
Requirements to Enter Baguio City (UPDATED 2022)

General Curfew and Liquor Ban

• The general curfew, and temporary ban on the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages, implemented during higher quarantine classifications and alert levels are hereby LIFTED, but may be re-imposed according to the COVID-19 situation in the city.
• Alcoholic beverages shall not be allowed inside construction sites, barracks, and stay-in training centers.

Permitted Industries and Activities

• All public and private work places shall utilize Flexible Work Arrangements (FWA) and Work From Home (WFH) schemes to ensure that work areas are conducive for complete observance of minimum public health standards. In such case, on-site capacity of at least 80% in the work space shall be maintained for continuity of operations.
• Employees who are immunocompromised, pregnant, over the age of sixty-five (65), or unvaccinated (regardless of age and health status) shall be prioritized to avail of alternate work arrangements.

The following industries shall limit their accommodations for guests, clients and patrons, which may be revised according to the given space/floor area.

1. Food and beverage retail establishments/ Restaurants

• Food and beverage retail establishments with dine-in services such as restaurants, cafes, eateries, fast-food establishments, canteens, and other similar establishments: maximum of 50% seating capacity in indoor setting for fully vaccinated individuals only, and 70% seating capacity for outdoor or al fresco setting;
• an additional 10% may be added to the permitted capacity if the establishment has been awarded a Safety Seal Certificate, and minors may be allowed.

2. Gyms, fitness centers, salons, spas, and personal care establishments

• Maximum of 50% capacity in indoor areas for fully vaccinated individuals only, and 70% capacity in outdoor areas;
• an additional 10% may be added to the permitted capacity if the establishment has been awarded a Safety Seal Certificate, and minors may be allowed.

3. Recreational venues

• Recreational venues such as internet cafes, amusement arcades, bowling alleys, and other similar establishments: maximum of 50% of indoor accommodation capacity for fully vaccinated individuals only, and 70% capacity in outdoor areas
• an additional 10% may be added to the permitted capacity if the establishment has been awarded a Safety Seal Certificate, and minors may be allowed.

4. Tourist and leisure attractions

• Museums and cultural centers, libraries and archives, and other tourist and leisure attractions: maximum of 50% of indoor accommodation capacity for fully vaccinated individuals only, and 70% capacity in outdoor areas.
• an additional 10% may be added to the permitted capacity if the establishment has been awarded a Safety Seal Certificate, and minors may be allowed.

5. E-bingo outlets and other gaming establishments

• maximum of 50% of accommodation capacity at any given time for fully vaccinated individuals only. For establishments in this category, Safety Seal Certificate is a requirement for permitted operations; and

6. Indoor kid amusement/recreation industries

• Indoor kid amusement/recreation industries may be ALLOWED, provided, prior inspection of the premises is conducted by the Health Services Office, and all on-site personnel are fully vaccinated. In this case, group activities for unvaccinated persons aged 17 and below in indoor environments shall not be allowed.

Public and Private Construction Projects

• All public and private construction projects shall be ALLOWED, but with strict compliance to the construction safety guidelines issued by the Department of Public Works and Highways for the implementation of infrastructure projects during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bars, night clubs, and other establishments

• Bars, night clubs, and other establishments where the primary business is the sale and service of liquor and other alcoholic beverages SHALL NOT BE ALLOWED to operate during Alert Level 2.

Indoor and outdoor non-contact sports

• Indoor and outdoor non-contact sports and other forms of physical fitness and exercise such as but not limited to:
  • walking,
  • jogging,
  • running,
  • biking,
  • golf,
  • swimming,
  • tennis,
  • badminton,
  • equestrian,
  • range shooting,
  • diving, and
  • skateboardingare ALLOWED, provided, that operations of relevant clubhouses or similar establishments shall operate at a maximum of 50% of the venue capacity for indoor settings for fully vaccinated individuals only, and 70% for outdoor settings, inclusive of spectators, if any. The conduct and regulations applicable to these activities shall be included in Advisories to be released by the City Sports Office under the Office of the City Administrator.

Contact Sports

• Contact sports may be permitted, upon the approval of the City Sports Office. For contact sports in indoor environments, a Safety Seal Certificate is a requirement for the venue or establishment. Participation of attendees may be allowed at 50% of the venue capacity for indoor settings for fully vaccinated individuals only, and 70% for outdoor settings, inclusive of spectators, if any.

11. Face-to-face or in person classes

• For Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)
  • Face-to-face or in-person classes may be conducted in Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) provided there is strict compliance with minimum public health standards, consultation with the Local Government Unit, and adherence to guidelines set by the Commission on Higher Education. Extracurricular activities may be conducted, subject to the approval of the Commission on Higher Education and the Local Government Unit
• For K-12 Basic Education
  • the Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan of the Department of Education shall be adopted.
• Technical vocational education and training (TVET)
  • Technical vocational education and training (TVET) shall be allowed, subject to pertinent issuances of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and strict observance of minimum public health standards. Extracurricular activities may be conducted, subject to the approval of TESDA and the Local Government Unit.
• Review centers, training centers and other similar institutions
  • Review centers, training centers and other similar institutions not otherwise governed by TESDA, may operate at 50% of the venue capacity, subject to the approval of the Health Services Office and the Local Government Unit. Further, all on-site personnel and all face to face attendees must be fully vaccinated, and the establishment or institution must have acquired a Safety Seal Certificate;
• Licensure or entrance/qualifying examinations
  • Licensure or entrance/qualifying examinations administered by the appropriate government agency, and specialty examinations authorized by the IATF, subject to the health and safety guidelines as approved by the Local Government Unit, shall be allowed with attendance limited to a maximum of 50% of the venue seating capacity;

Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE)

• Where physical presence or participation is indispensable, meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions (MICE), and other similar activities that are necessary for the conduct or provision of critical government services and authorized humanitarian activities, or which are pursuant to official functions of any legitimate agency, office, or instrumentality, or any cooperative, or place of work/business, may be allowed with strict adherence to prescribed minimum public health standards, provided, attendees in indoor settings are fully vaccinated and shall not exceed 50% of the venue capacity. Permitted attendance may be increased to 70% for outdoor settings.

Private and social gatherings

• Private social gatherings to celebrate or commemorate personal or family milestones such as birthdays, baptisms, weddings, anniversaries, gatherings to mourn departed loved ones, other non-work related gatherings held in hotels, conference halls, convention halls, and other similar venue establishments may be allowed, provided, prior approval is secured from the Office of the City Mayor.Venues and events halls that have not acquired a Safety Seal Certificate must undergo inspection by the Health Services Office as a prerequisite for approval. Requests for inspections must be submitted to the Health Services Office not later than seven (7) days before the intended date of the event.Permitted attendance in indoor settings shall be at a maximum of 50% capacity for fully vaccinated individuals only. For these purposes, persons aged 17 and below may be allowed to participate, subject to compliance with Section 1, Paragraph B of the Executive  Order. Maximum permitted capacity may be increased to 70% for outdoor settings.
• Similar activities shall be allowed within the residence, provided, prior notice is given to barangay officials. In no case shall the attendees exceed 10 persons at any given time;

Election Campaign Activities

• Pursuant to COMELEC Resolution No. 10732, permits for Election Campaign Activities such as political caucuses, conventions, meetings, rallies, motorcades, and other similar assemblies or gatherings for the purpose of soliciting votes or undertaking any campaign or propaganda for or against a particular candidate, shall be issued by the City COMELEC Campaign Committee (CCCC). In such case, the attendance of such gatherings shall be limited to 50% of the venue capacity, whether these are indoor or outdoor settings ;

Religious Gatherings

• In-person religious gatherings and worship services may be allowed at 50% of the premises capacity for fully vaccinated individuals only, and 70% for outdoor seating, provided, the Local Government Unit has not given its objection to the conduct of said gathering.

Gatherings for necrological services, wakes, inurnment, and funerals

• Gatherings for necrological services, wakes, inurnment, and funerals for those who died of causes other than COVID-19, and memorial services for the cremains of COVID-19 deceased shall be allowed with limited attendance as follows: 50% capacity in indoor areas for fully vaccinated individuals only, and 70% capacity in outdoor areas. For these purposes, persons aged 17 and below may be allowed to participate, subject to compliance with Section 1, Paragraph B herein. Visits to memorial parks, cemeteries and columbaria shall be limited to not more than 10 persons per group;

General Guidelines for the Transport Sector

1. Carriage and passenger arrangements of public utility jeepney (PUJs) and taxis shall comply with strict health standards according to issuances of the Department of Transportation (DOTR), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), and the Local Government Unit. In addition, the following shall be strictly implemented:
   1. All PUJ and Taxi drivers shall be fully vaccinated. Drivers who are unvaccinated shall be required to undergo RT-PCR or Antigen testing at least once every two weeks, at their expense. Those who are medically ineligible to receive COVID-19 vaccines must present a Medical Certificate issued by the City Health Services Office as proof of ineligibility, and shall undergo RT-PCR or Antigen testing at a quarterly interval, with the assistance of the City Health Services Office;
   2. Maximum allowed carriage capacity
      • For PUJs: 70%,
      • For taxi units: three (3) persons;
   3. Only one passenger is allowed at the front seating area;
   4. Operators must adopt a “No Mask, No Ride” policy for all passengers, and shall institute measures to mitigate the spread of the virus such as the provision of hand sanitizers and similar disinfectants that are made readily available inside the vehicle, and utilization of a non-contact fare payment system; and
   5. Operators of public utility vehicles must ensure that passengers are wearing face masks at all times. Passengers who fail or refuse to abide by these health protocols should be instructed to alight from the vehicle.
2. Travel routes and coding schemes for PUJs, Taxi Units, and private vehicles shall be according to official Advisories to be released in suppletory effect hereto.

SOURCE: Executive Order No. 22, series of 2022 (PIO-Baguio)