ILOILO City – Holidays for Ilonggos usually mean reuniting with friends and relatives, hosting and attending large in-person gatherings. But this year, due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, these usual activities “are not advisable.”
In this city, Mayor Jerry Treñas reiterated it is still “very risky” to hold Christmas merrymakings, where physical distancing is difficult to observe.
He recently issued Executive Order (EO) No. 194 setting the rules for holiday events as the city remains under general community quarantine for the entire month of December.
Under EO 194, Treñas discouraged work or non-family-related Christmas gatherings but suggested an alternative – virtual get-together held within premises of one’s home.
However, even if the gatherings are among family members, Treñas emphasized that all attendees should still observe standard minimum health protocols like proper physical distancing, frequent hand washing and non-sharing of utensils.
The public is also encouraged to practice non-contact means of greeting elders and other family members; refrain from gift exchanges and servings/consuming alcoholic drinks; and among others.
As to the conduct of gift-giving and other philanthropic activities, persons or establishments conducting these activities must ensure that standard health protocols such as wearing of facemask and face shields/eye protectors and strict physical distancing are strictly observed.
Under the order, traditional caroling or the act of going house to house to sing Christmas carols is prohibited, too.
Meanwhile, Simbang Gabi or pre-dawn masses, Advent and Christmas masses are allowed provided that these are limited only to the conduct of religious worship and/or service. Health protocols must also be followed.
SUPER SPREADER EVENT
In Iloilo province, Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. warned that Christmas parties might become “super spreader” events.
“Kon magdamo ang Christmas parties, delikado kita. The DOH (Department of Health) is warning about post-Christmas surges in COVID-19 cases,” said Defensor.
He cited the assessment of contact tracers and the recommendation of the Philippine National Police, which point to mass gatherings as the main contributor to the local spread of COVID-19.
COVID-19 spreads from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth which are spread when a person with COVID-19 coughs or exhales.
These droplets also land on objects and surfaces around the person. Other people then catch COVID-19 by touching these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose or mouth.
While recognizing the important role of family gatherings during Christmas, the governor stressed the safety and lives of loved ones against COVID-19 should be the primordial concern.
“Ipa-umod anay naton ang mga gatherings nga matumpok kag lapitay kita kag indi naton ma–andaman ang social distancing. Nga-a? Ara pa kita sa tunga sang pandemya, waay pa matapos ang problema,” Defensor pointed out.
He reiterated the provisions of his EO No. 183, Series of 2020 which enforced additional and adjusted community quarantine measures on public events and gatherings.
“Dapat likawan naton ang mga parties kay ara ina sia sa EO, wala lang galing nakabutang specific nga Christmas party,” Defensor clarified.
The city and province of Iloilo have been under varying degrees of community quarantine since mid-March.
As of Nov. 29, Iloilo City recorded a total of 4,347 COVID-cases – 140 active, 4,086 recovered and 121 dead.
Iloilo province, on the other hand, had a total of 2,639 cases – 264 active, 2,282 recovered and 93 dead./PN