The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) yesterday urged the public to shift to online caroling during the Christmas season, given the threat of COVID-19.
With proposals to ban the traditional house-to-house caroling likely to be approved, DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said people should consider doing the activity online.
“If there would be caroling, probably go online instead,” he said in Filipino over Teleradyo.
Año said caroling would physically put people, especially children, at risk of contracting the disease.
The department chief said while measures have already been placed to contain COVID-19, the virus remains a threat.
“For now it’s not feasible because we have yet to flatten the curve,” Año said.
The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) has yet to come up with a resolution banning caroling, as recommended by local chief executives in Metro Manila.
The Philippine National Police, which has been implementing quarantine protocols, has backed the proposed ban.
Metro Manila mayors have agreed, as well, to ban caroling in Metro Manila this Christmas season, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority general manager Jojo Garcia said yesterday.
The mayors came to the agreement during a virtual meeting Sunday, Garcia said.
Mayors agreed to ban caroling to avoid mass gatherings amid the pandemic, Malabon Mayor Antolin Oreta III and Navotas Mayor Toby Tiangco both said.
The proposal will be forwarded to the IATF for its decision.
Health Undersecretary Rosario Vergeire had backed the proposed ban after studies have shown that singing increases the risk of virus transmission.
The proposed ban also followed the mayors’ agreement to ban Christmas parties in the metropolis, the epicenter of the virus outbreak, even as quarantine restrictions had been eased.
Likewise, the Archdiocese of Manila (RCAM) discouraged parishes and groups under it from holding Christmas parties to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
RCAM Chancellor Fr. Reginald Malicdem issued instructions to their clergy on the celebration of Advent, Simbang Gabi and Christmas, wherein it was mentioned that they are dissuading parishes, organizations and groups under their archdiocese from holding Christmas parties.
“We discourage parishes, communities and groups, in the RCAM from holding Christmas parties this year. We know that the gathering of people is an occasion usually prone to the spread of the virus,” said Malicdem. – Marc Jayson Cayabyab, Evelyn Macairan
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2020/11/11/2056028/dilg-urges-public-shift-online-caroling
No comments:
Post a Comment