Baguio Reopens to Select Local Tourists on 1 October 2020

In June 2020, the Baguio City government announced that the City of Pines would be welcoming tourists under new normal travel guidelines by September. Specific dates have since been established — as of 1 Sep, the city’s attractions have already been open to local residents; by 1 Oct, Baguio reopens to visitors from the Ilocos and Cordillera regions. 

Baguio reopens to tourists by launching their travel bubble

In order to kickstart Baguio’s tourism, a travel bubble has been set up between the city and neighbouring provinces such as La Union, Pangasinan, Ilocos Sur, and Ilocos Norte. Through the help of the travel bubble, the Summer Capital aims to rebrand itself as a safe vacation spot, while reopening to tourists slowly but surely.

The DOT has been in talks about establishing travel bubbles for cities and provinces in the Philippines with zero to low COVID-19 cases since June. Baguio’s formal reopening was recently agreed upon during a meeting between DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat and the representatives from the involved provincial governments. As of 31 Aug, Baguio has logged a total of 341 cases, 81 of which are presently active.

Also read: Palawan Reopens to Local Tourists with the El Nido Travel Bubble

Things to note before visiting Baguio in the new normal

As one can expect, planning a trip to Baguio as soon as it reopens isn’t going to be as simple as 1, 2, 3. But of course, being well-prepared will surely make your visit much smoother. The following Facebook post by the Public Information Office – City of Baguio lists must-know protocols for those who intend to visit the City of Pines:

In addition to those listed in the Facebook post, cashless payments will also be implemented as much as possible. Mayor Benjamin Magalong has also noted that the city government has plans to put up a centralised triage centre in the Baguio Convention parking lot. If all goes according to plan, it will be a one-stop shop, complete with a triage area, waiting area, testing area, and beds for any possible suspected cases.

Also read: Where to Stay in Baguio: 10 Airbnb Homes for ALL Budgets

Ready to find out what travel is like in the new normal? Time to save up and prepare all you’ll need to ensure a safe trip once Baguio reopens! While we all miss travelling, take note that your safety, as well as that of the people around you, are still of utmost importance. Take care!