By Zaldy Comanda BAGUIO CITY - Now that more activities are allowed under a modified general community quarantine (MGCQ), Mayor Benjamin Magalong advised residents to be even more vigilant and cautious because the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remains a threat to the health of the community. Mayor Benjamin Magalong
(JJ Landingin / MANILA BULLETIN) Magalong said mass gatherings, community assemblies, non-essential work gatherings, and religious gatherings will remain prohibited in the city. He said this would be in effect while they study effective health and safety measures to protect the elderly. “We will continue to hold dialogues and consultations with affected sectors in order to find the best and most effective measures and protocols to mitigate the risk of COVID19 transmission as we introduce this new normal into daily life in Baguio City,” he said. However, low-key marriage ceremonies, religious rites, and small family gatherings to celebrate milestones may be allowed, as long as social distancing and stringent health standards are followed. For funeral rites, attendance will be limited only to direct family members He said that, since the start of the community quarantines in the country, it has been the practice to carry out the national guidelines, and implement them at the local level gradually in a way that would be suitable to the local residents’ way of life. “Your local government will continue to craft relevant and risk-based health standards, precautionary measures and protocols to protect the people of Baguio from this virus. We have survived this long by adopting and adapting, and this is also how we will follow through with the guidelines on MGCQ,” Magalong said.