BAGUIO CITY– Stricter border control within Baguio City and Benguet towns of La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba and Tublay, otherwise known as the BLISTT area, will again be imposed as an infection control measure against the Coronavirus Disease due to the continuing rise of new cases and the confirmation of a new variant case in La Trinidad.
The Temporary Restricted Access between and among the BLISTT area is effective from February 1 – 15 to limit non – essential movement of people. The agreement was signed by all Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong and mayors Romeo Salda of La Trinidad, Victorio Palangdan of Itogon, Manuel Munar Jr of Sablan, Armando Lauro of Tublay and Clarita Sallongan in January 26.
Under the agreement, all inter – BLISTT travelers, for the purpose of travel or to avail of essential goods and services, shall present a medical certificate or medical clearance issued by any licensed physician affirming that the resident has not exhibited flu–like symptoms as of the time of assessment. Said medical certificate or clearance has a validity of 10 days.
For persons who are travelling for medical appointments or consultation, they need only to show proof of their confirmed appointments while those with immediate medical emergencies shall be allowed to pass through freely.
Likewise, cargo and logistics services, water, electricity and communications, IT and waste management shall likewise be given unhampered passage, provided their personnel maintain a no–contact policy and shall strictly observe minimum public health standards at all times.
Non-resident travelers coming to BLISTT from other areas must present their travel authority/permit and medical certificates issued in their place of origin.
Baguio City Police Office Director PCOL Allen Rae Co affirms their readiness to implement the new BLISTT border control agreement as he calls for the cooperation of everyone.
Co said this newest BLISTT advisory has no effect on the usual requirements of Baguio residents who need to travel outside the city or those going home to Baguio. Same travel requirements for Baguio tourists remain.
Meanwhile, Magalong said Baguio is now preparing for the upgrading of community quarantine status from moderate general community quarantine to general community quarantine by February 1. **JDP/CCD-PIA CAR
