Baguio City suspends night market over lapses in crowd control

MANILA, Philippines — Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong has suspended the operation of its famous night market, which reopened on Tuesday evening, due to “apparent lapses” in crowd control.

The city’s public information office in a Facebook post on Wednesday said Magalong has instructed city officials to organize a meeting and conduct a post-night market assessment to evaluate the incident.

“Identify our weak points and vulnerabilities and discuss solutions. I want feedback as soon as possible,” Magalong said.

The resumption of the night market’s operation is part of the local government unit’s effort to reopen the economy and restore the livelihood of displaced vendors due to the coronavirus pandemic.

However, Magalong said the reopening of businesses should not sacrifice the health and safety of the people and set aside health protocols against the coronavirus.

“We must strike a balance between reopening the economy and safeguarding the health and safety of the people. This is our new normal direction,” he said.

https://www.facebook.com/306028116715984/posts/691015881550537/?d=n

According to the city public information office, the night market along Harrison Road reopened on Tuesday night from 8:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.

About 481 stalls or only 45 percent of the original vending slots were allowed to open in consideration of the basic health protocols particularly physical distancing.

“Members of the Public Order and Safety Division and Baguio City Police Office monitor the area and remind everyone to maintain physical distancing, proper usage of face mask and face shield,” the city government said in a separate Facebook post.

https://www.facebook.com/pio.baguio/posts/690764304909028

JE