COVID-19 prompts Metro Manila mayors to urge IATF ban on caroling

Metro Manila mayors have unanimously agreed to recommend the banning of caroling this upcoming Christmas season amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Yes po," Metro Manila Council chairman Parañaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez told GMA News Online when asked if they local chiefs would recommend the ban to the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF).

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) general manager Jojo Garcia said it was a "unanimous" decision that the Metro Manila mayors reached at a meeting over the weekend.

"Mayors meeting last sunday. Unanimous wala muna caroling this year. Will recommend sa IATF," MMDA General Manager Jojo said.

Manila and Quezon City already banned caroling in the streets over the Christmas holidays amid due to the virus.

The Joint Task Force COVID Shield over the weekend also supported proposals to ban caroling during the 2020 Christmas season due to the danger of COVID-19 infections among children.

Secretary of the Interior and Local Government and National Task Force on COVID-19 Vice Chairman Eduardo Año also supported the caroling ban. -NB, GMA News

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/metro/763528/covid-19-prompts-metro-manila-mayors-to-urge-iatf-ban-on-caroling/story/

Manila, QC ban street caroling ahead of Christmas holidays amid COVID-19 pandemic

Manila and Quezon City have banned caroling in the streets over the Christmas holidaysamid the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Raffy Tima’s report on “24 Oras”, the two cities prohibited the joy-giving activity to prevent the further spread of the virus.

On Sunday, the Joint Task Force COVID Shield supported proposals to ban caroling during the 2020 Christmas season due to the danger of COVID-19 infections among children.

JTF COVID Shield commander Police Lieutenant General Guillermo Eleazar said the groups was waiting for the decision of the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) on the proposals.

Secretary of the Interior and Local Government and National Task Force on COVID-19 Vice Chairman Eduardo Año also supported the caroling ban.

Earlier, Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba urged the national government to ban caroling as he believed this would prevent further transmission of COVID-19, which has so far infected 398,449 people in the country including 7,674 deaths.

The Department of Health called on the public to still follow health protocols during the holidays.

“May lumabas po na pag-aaral, this is just last week that we got it na naipakita po diyan ‘yong pagkanta ng malakas, ‘yan po ‘yong pinakamataas na porsyento or highest yield of the virus if you are infected, mas marami kang nailalabas,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said.

Metro Manila mayors earlier banned the conduct of Christmas parties amid the threat of COVID-19. -NB, GMA News

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/763429/manila-qc-ban-street-caroling-ahead-of-istmas-holidays-amid-covid-19-pandemic/story/

MRT 7 Update of 8 Station Start from North Avenue Station to Donya Carme...

Police back proposed ban on Christmas caroling

The police Joint Task Force (JTF) COVID-19 Shield is supporting proposals to ban house-to-house caroling during the Christmas season to curb the transmission of the virus, especially among children, an official said yesterday.

JTF commander and Philippine National Police deputy director for administration Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said it would be dangerous for children if local governments would allow street caroling during the pandemic.

Eleazar said he understands that caroling has been part of the Filipino tradition, but the country is facing a different situation due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are facing a serious threat. We believe that it is in the health interest of everybody if we just stay home and enjoy the Yuletide season with our families,” he said.

The JTF COVID-19 Shield is the quarantine enforcement arm of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.

The IATF has yet to decide on the proposal.

However, the Department of the Interior and Local Government earlier recommended the ban on caroling nationwide.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, who also sits as vice chairman of the National Task Force on COVID-19, cited studies and statistics as indicators that the virus likely spread in group singing activities as “singers have to remove their masks as they sing and viruses are released through aerosols.”

Eleazar said police commanders nationwide have been ordered to coordinate Christmas caroling policies with local governments.

If the ban is approved, he said parents should explain to their kids why there is a need to skip the traditional caroling this year.

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2020/11/09/2055536/police-back-proposed-ban-christmas-caroling

JTF COVID Shield backs Christmas caroling ban proposal

The Joint Task Force COVID Shield supported proposals to ban caroling during the 2020 Christmas season due to the danger of COVID-19 infections among children.

In a Sunday statement, JTF COVID Shield commander Police Lieutenant General Guillermo Eleazar said they were waiting for the decision of the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) on the proposals.

“Caroling has always been part of the Filipino tradition, I believe each and every one of us has his or her funny and meaningful stories of caroling especially when we were children,” said Eleazar.

“But the situation is currently different. We are facing a serious threat [from COVID-19] and we in the JTF COVID Shield believe that it is in the health interest of everybody if we could just stay home and enjoy the Yuletide season with our family.”

Secretary of the Interior and Local Government and National Task Force on COVID-19 Vice Chairman Eduardo Año also supported the caroling ban.

“Based on studies and statistics, the spread of COVID-19 is more likely to occur in mass singing like choir and caroling because singers have to remove their masks as they sing and viruses are released through aerosols,” chimed Año.

Meanwhile, Eleazar, in coordination with Philippine National Police chief General Camilo Cascolan, instructed police commanders to work with their respective local governments over the possible caroling ban. — DVM, GMA News

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/763257/jtf-covid-shield-backs-istmas-caroling-ban-due-to-coronavirus-threat/story/

JTF COVID Shield backs proposed ban on Christmas caroling

By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan

Joint Task Force COVID Shield commander Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar on Sunday said he supports a proposal to ban caroling this Christmas season to prevent further transmission of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

Eleazar said he understands that caroling has always been part of the Filipino tradition, but the country is now facing different situation due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We are facing a serious threat of coronavirus disease and we in the JTF COVID Shield believe that it is in the health interest of everybody if we could just stay home and enjoy the yuletide season with our family,” he said.

Eleazar said the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has yet to decide on the proposal.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, who is also vice chairman of the National Task Force on Covid-19, also supports the caroling ban this year.

“Based on studies and statistics, the spread of Covid-19 is more likely to occur in mass singing like choir and caroling because singers have to remove their masks as they sing and viruses are released through aerosols,” Año said.

Año said he would recommend the ban on caroling nationwide.

In coordination with Philippine National Police chief Gen. Camilo Cascolan, Eleazar directed police commanders to coordinate with their respective local government unit (LGUs) with regard to caroling.

If the caroling ban is approved, Eleazar said parents should explain to their children why there is a need to skip the traditional caroling at least for this year.

He said children are considered as the most affected by the community quarantine rules since they could no longer do what they used to enjoy before the pandemic like going to school, playing with fellow kids and even going to the mall.

As of Saturday, the Philippines has 393,961 recorded Covid-19 cases with 350,216 recoveries and 7,485 deaths.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1121135

With Christmas nearing, quarantine enforcers back proposal to ban caroling

Silent nights could await Filipinos once the holidays come around, with the quarantine enforcement task force announcing that it backed calls to ban caroling ahead of the forthcoming Christmas season, it disclosed Sunday. 

In a statement sent to reporters, the Joint Task Force COVID Shield said this was due to the danger of coronavirus infection, especially for children who may be encouraged to go out in areas whose local governments would be allowing the practice. 

Police Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, commander of the JTF CV Shield, said the task force was still awaiting the decision of the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases on the proposal.

“Caroling has always been part of the Filipino tradition...but the situation is currently different. We are facing a serious threat of Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) and we in the JTF COVID Shield believe that it is in the health interest of everybody if we could just stay home,” he said.

But Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, who sits as vice chair of the IATF, said he also supports the caroling ban this year and would recommend the ban be implemented nationwide.

“Based on studies and statistics, the spread of COVID-19 is more likely to occur in mass singing like choir and caroling because singers have to remove their masks as they sing and viruses are released through aerosols,” he said. 

Researchers warn of possible coronavirus resurgence amid holidays

On Friday, Mathematics professor Guido David, of the OCTA Research group, said the government must be ready to immediately respond to an uptick of new cases to prevent a surge.

“We are aware that when the holiday season comes, people already have fatigue and would want to go out,” he said in Filipino in an interview with TeleRadyo.

“It is possible to have an uptick but what is important is for us to have an immediate response. So in case there is a small uptick of cases, we will be able to control it and it will not worsen and be a surge,” he added.

Children are considered as the most affected by the community quarantine rules since they could no longer do what they used to enjoy before the pandemic, the joint task force said in its statement. 

In a briefing, the health department also urged the public to celebrate Christmas with caution amid the coronavirus pandemic. 

“Social and family gatherings must be kept with less people as possible,” DOH Health Promotion Bureau officer Rodley Carza said. 

“Preferably people within the same household will be attending the gathering and activities requiring travel to areas with higher quarantine classification shall be avoided." — Franco Luna 

Ban on street caroling, videoke mulled

By Catherine S. Valente, TMT

THE government will study a proposal to ban street caroling during the Christmas season to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), a Palace official said.

Palace spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said in a virtual press briefing aired on state-run PTV-4 on Saturday that the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has yet to tackle the measure but assured the public that it would definitely be discussed in one of its future meetings.

The Department of Health (DoH), through Undersecretary Rosario Vergeire, also discouraged singing  in videoke bars because “like talking and breathing, singing can transmit aerosol droplets that carry the virus that causes Covid-19.”

Citing studies, Vergeire said during her weekly “Laging Handa Public Briefing” segment on Saturday, that singing “gives off the highest load of virus that you can transmit.”

She said the DoH might recommend a ban on public videokes but would allow those in private homes.

Mamba proposal

Roque’s statement was in response to a proposal by Cagayan Gov. Manuel Mamba.

Mamba said the local government could issue an ordinance, but it would be more effective if it would come from the IATF, the government’s policy-making body on Covid-19 response.

“At least they know that there is a medical and scientific basis in what we are trying to ask,” Mamba said.

‘Covid-free’ December

President Rodrigo Duterte said he hoped for a “Covid-free December” so that everyone could enjoy the Christmas season, citing the development of the Russian vaccine Sputnik-V.

The third phase of the clinical trials of Sputnik V by the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology will be held simultaneously in the Philippines and Russia from October 2020 to March 2021 with tens of thousands of patients to be vaccinated for its safety and efficacy.

Malacañang is expecting Sputnik V to be registered with the local Food and Drug Administration by April 2021.

‘High-risk’ holiday activity

Singing, alongside dancing, is considered a high-risk holiday activity under DoH Circular 2020-0355 issued on October 26.

Other measures include limiting the number of people in family and social gatherings and holding them outdoors for better ventilation or holding virtual gatherings with family members and friends who are not living in the same household; shopping online instead of shopping in crowded malls, and bazaars; avoiding activities that require travel to areas with higher quarantine classifications; keeping activities as short as possible; limiting participation for those considered to be vulnerable; and observing minimum health standards such as face masks, hand washing or sanitizing, and physical distancing.

“Of course, we want to celebrate the holidays, but we have to learn how to celebrate it safely,” Rodley Carza of the DoH-Health Promotion Bureau said during an online forum on Thursday.

The Philippines has so far reported 391,809 Covid-19 cases, with 7,461 deaths and 394,974 recoveries. With reports from RED MENDOZA

https://www.manilatimes.net/2020/11/08/news/national/ban-on-street-caroling-videoke-mulled/792946/

Palace: IATF to discuss proposed ban on Christmas caroling

 By Argyll Cyrus Geducos

Malacañang said the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) will soon discuss the proposal to prohibit Christmas street caroling to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque made the statement after Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba suggested to ban street caroling this Christmas as a measure against the coronavirus.

In a virtual press briefing aired via state-run PTV-4, Roque said the Inter-agency Task Force (IATF) will definitely include the proposal in one of its future meetings.

“Hndi pa po ‘yan napagpulungan at napag-usapan sa IATF (We have not talked about that in the IATF yet),” he said on Thursday.

“I’m sure maa-agenda ‘yan sa mga susunod na meeting ng IATF (I’m sure it will be part of the agenda in our next IATF meeting),” he added.

Last month, the IATF eased the restrictions on religious gatherings, allowing churches to fill up to 30 percent of their seating capacity to accommodate those who want to attend the “Simbang Gabi” next month.

In one of his virtual press briefings, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said that the IATF has yet to discuss if there should be rules on how to celebrate Christmas amid the ongoing threat of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Hindi pa po namin napaguusapan yun. Wala pa tayong rules na ginagawa sa IATF about that. So wala pa po (We haven’t talked about Christmas yet. The IATF does not have rules about that yet. So there’s none for now),” he said.

Nograles, however, suggested that families and friends should take advantage of the available technology to hold get-togethers instead of risking their health to meet one another during the holidays.

“Dapat alalahanin po natin na mayroon pa rin tayong (Remember that we have) health and safety protocols when it comes to mass gatherings no. ‘Di pwede basta-basta mag-mass gathering (We cannot just simply hold gatherings),” he said. 

“Pwede naman mag-Christmas party via online o Zoom or gagamitin natin yung technology o iba’t ibang online platforms para sa ating Christmas get-togethers (We can hold our Christmas parties virtually or use different technology platforms for our Christmas get-togethers),” he added.

The Palace official said that the government only wants the public to celebrate Christmas without anybody getting sick.

“Gusto natin maging masaya rin kahit papano yung Pasko kahit mayroon tayong kinakaharap na pandemya (We want to make Christmas as merry as possible even though we are facing a pandemic),” Nograles said.

“Pero siyempre, mas magiging masaya ang Pasko kung walang mahahawa ng COVID (But, of course, Christmas will be merrier if no one will catch COVID-19),” he added.

https://mb.com.ph/2020/11/06/palace-iatf-to-discuss-proposed-ban-on-christmas-caroling/

Coronavirus task force to tackle proposed ban on Christmas caroling

The inter-agency task force leading the country's pandemic response will discuss a proposal to ban the traditional Christmas caroling to contain the novel coronavirus, Malacañang said Friday. 

The IATF did not discuss the proposal when it met late Thursday, said Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque. 

"Pero I am sure maaagenda 'yan sa mga susunod na meeting ng IATF," he said in a public briefing. 

(But I am sure that will be included in the agenda in next IATF meetings.)

Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba earlier said he wanted the traditional house-to-house caroling banned because children who usually join the Christmas tradition are vulnerable to exposure to those infected with COVID-19. 

The Philippines has Southeast Asia's second highest number of COVID-19 cases and deaths after Indonesia. 

The health department on Thursday reported 1,594 novel coronavirus infections and 42 additional deaths. The agency said total confirmed cases increased to 389,725 while deaths reached 7,409. — With a report from Reuters 

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/11/06/20/coronavirus-task-force-to-tackle-proposed-ban-on-christmas-caroling