FOR TOURISM WORKERS. The Baguio Country Club will host Covid-19 vaccination activities for tourism industry workers from Aug. 30 to Sept. 1, 2021. The city government and the private sector will allot 4,000 doses. (PNA file photo by Liza T. Agoot)
BAGUIO CITY – The city government here has set aside 4,000 doses of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccines as part of its 112th Charter Day celebration.
Public Information Office chief Aileen Refuerzo, in a phone interview on Monday, said the three-day vaccination activity at the Baguio Country Club (BCC) is one way of recognizing the tourism industry's contribution and assures the protection of workers and their clients.
“This is part of the commitment of the city government to have the workers in the economic sector vaccinated and geared toward helping gradually and safely revive the local economy," she said.
Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat is expected to grace the culmination at the Baguio Convention Center on Sept. 1.
The activity is a collaboration among the DOT-Cordillera, city government, Hotel and Restaurant Association of Baguio, Baguio Tourism Council, BCC, and Navy reserve volunteers.
Only 454 or 8.3 percent of the 5,458 registered workers in tourism-related establishments have been vaccinated since the rollout began in March, according to the data of establishments previously issued with certificates of accreditation or compliance by the DOT and the local government.
Refuerzo said thousands of families rely on the tourism industry for livelihood directly or indirectly as workers, accommodation owners, souvenir shop owners or makers of souvenir items, flower growers and sellers, restaurant owners or workers or suppliers, entertainers, and other activities indirectly contributing to tourism.
Baguio opened its borders to tourists in September 2020, applying the concept of a tourism bubble.
The "Ridge and Reef” bubble involved the provinces of Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur, and Ilocos Norte.
As of Aug. 13, non-essential travels from areas under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), modified ECQ, and general community quarantine (GCQ) with heightened restrictions are disallowed.
Non-essential travels will be allowed from GCQ and MGCQ areas only.
If not fully vaccinated, then a negative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction test result conducted within 72 hours prior to entry is required.
The city is currently conducting vaccination in strategic areas for priority sectors. It also deploys inoculation staff for senior citizens and immobile residents.
Baguio has 787 active Covid-19 cases as of Aug. 29.
Of the 281,000 eligible population, 33.21 percent or 93, 357 are already fully vaccinated. (PNA)
