THE chilly town of Atok in Benguet Province is once again open for tourists.

Mayor Raymundo Sarac lifted the suspension on tourism activities February 22 particularly those visiting the Northern Blossoms and Haight’s Place.

Tourists are asked to do pre-registration at their destination at Paoay barangay hall in Sayangan, Paoay while precautionary measures relative to the continuity of tourism activities in the municipality must also be followed in the executive order 10-2020 of the mayor.

Sarac earlier suspended tourism related activities in the town due to the threat of coronavirus (Covid–19).

The mayor said he personally coordinated and asked the advice of Department of Tourism (DOH), Department of Health (DOH), Provincial Health Office and the Provincial Tourism Office of Benguet relative to the situation of Covid–19 in the region.

He added his new EO is also pursuant to the joint statement of the three agencies on public gatherings issued on February 18.

The mayor earlier urged constituents to take precautionary measures in relation to Covid-19.

To help mitigate spread of respiratory infections, the health department earlier asked all to strengthen individual immune system, practice cough etiquette, avoid contact with sick person, cook and wash food thoroughly and practice proper hygiene through proper hand washing.

With the lifting of the ban, tourists are expected to swarm the town as temperature once again dropped.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), Baguio City experienced on Friday morning its coldest temperature as it went down to 9.4°C at 6 a.m.

Pagasa said the cold weather is caused by amihan or northeast monsoon season, which prevails between October and early March.

Atok enjoys cooler weather than Baguio City by at least 2°C during this time of the year.

The lowest temperature recorded in the city was 6.3 °C on January 18, 1961.