Minimum public health standards part of Christmas season
Today is the first day of December. As tradition dictates, we Filipinos celebrate the Christmas season with family, friends and loved ones. In fact, the Christmas celebration in the Philippines is the longest in the world. However, as the pandemic still looms over us, it is best to keep the minimum public health standards in check as we go through this season of merriment.
The Department of Health (DoH) released Department Circular 2020- 0355 on 26 October reiterating the observance of the minimum public health standards for COVID-19 mitigation during the holidays. I discussed some items in the said Circular in one of my recent press briefings, identifying holiday activities that can be classified as low risk, moderate risk, and high risk.
Low- risk activities include attending online Masses, Noche Buena or Media Noche with the family inside the home, online video calls among family members who are apart during the holiday season, and shopping in online stores.
Classified as having moderate risk are small gatherings in public areas that take into consideration physical distancing and restrictions on mass gatherings. High- risk activities include physical attendance in indoor religious activities with many attendees, shopping in crowded malls and tiangge, big gatherings in enclosed spaces, singing and speaking loudly and physical contact.
The DoH further advised families to limit the number of people in family and social gatherings and activities, preferably limiting these activities to people within the same household.
For family gatherings, pre-plated food service is encouraged against buffet-style food service to lessen contact among individuals. When exchanging gifts, ensure proper hand hygiene before and after, and ensure that hand sanitizers and disinfectants are readily available.
If possible, it is encouraged to hold family and social gatherings and activities outdoors. If not, ensure that there’s proper ventilation — open doors and windows as much as possible. Also, advise everyone to avoid touching high- touch surfaces and to ensure cleanliness throughout the celebration.
If participating in activities that will last more than 15 minutes, it is advised to wear a mask and to keep at least a one-meter distance. Of course, washing or sanitizing hands frequently will help avoid the risk of spreading the virus.
If you are sick and experiencing COVID-like symptoms, such as cough, sore throat, loss of smell, among others, it is best to stay at home and avoid social gatherings and/or seek medical help. If a family member is vulnerable to disease, it is best to limit his/her participating in large social gatherings.
And while interzonal movement of persons across dif ferent quarantine classifications may be permitted subject to existing guidelines of concerned local government units, the DoH advised travelers to follow quarantine protocols of their destination. The DoH also reminded that travelers from areas of higher quarantine classification may increase the risk of spreading the virus to areas with lower quarantine classification.
All of these guidelines were put in place to ensure that we will still be able to enjoy the post- holidays and look forward to the coming of the vaccines next year. It is better to be proactive than reactive in the face of the pandemic.
In this time of pandemic, let us not forget to observe the minimum public health standards as we celebrate this most joyful season with all those who are near and dear to our hearts.
“All of these guidelines were put in place to ensure that we will still be able to enjoy the post-holidays and look forward to the coming of the vaccines next year.
“Low-risk activities include attending online Masses, Noche Buena or Media Noche with the family inside the home, online video calls among family members and shopping in online stores.