Baguio City Mayor Benjie Magalong has ordered the suspension of its popular city night market hours after reopening to the public during the Christmas season.
Magalong noted that there were lapses in controlling the influx of people amid the coronavirus pandemic.
In a social media post on Wednesday, the city’s Public Information Office said Magalong has directed fellow local executives to organize a meeting and conduct an assessment on the operation of the night market, which just reopened on Tuesday evening.
“Identify our weak points and vulnerabilities and discuss solutions. I want feedback as soon as possible,” Magalong said.
The reopening of the market was part of Baguio’s move to boost the economy severely affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The city, however, was among the high risk areas for the virus in the recent weeks.
Magalong stressed that health and safety protocols should not be sacrificed with the easing of business restrictions.
“There are some traditional activities that we will avoid like Christmas caroling from house to house, like Simbang Gabi, limited indoor gathering like family and clan gatherings,” he said on Tuesday.
“Christmas in Baguio this time should be observed in calmness unlike the festive, jubilant and carefree mood of the past. This time we shall endeavor to make it a safe and healthy Christmas,” he added.
