Manila retains health protocols for holiday season
While the number of active cases continued to drop last November, no change in health implementation status will likely happen
Fearing the rapid surge of coronavirus infection in the city, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso announced that there will be no relaxation of health protocols this coming month of December to January 2021.
Moreno made this announcement during yesterday’s celebration of Bonifacio Day at the Kartilla ng Katipunan park.
While the number of active cases continued to drop last November, no change in health implementation status will likely happen, nor will there be a short ceasefire in observing restrictions on movement this coming holiday season.
Residents are looking forward to a variety of celebrations including the Simbang Gabi, Christmas parties, New Year’s celebration, Black Nazarene procession and the Sto. Niño fiesta in Tondo.
“If you find me annoying, we cannot allow these huge celebrations. Even if the number of active cases has gone down to 300, we cannot allow these until we can safely say that everyone is safe. Better safe than sorry,” Domagoso said.
Likewise, drinking in public will also not be tolerated.
“This is not a joke,” he added. “I will have you arrested and jailed for not complying.” However, the mayor clarified that when it comes to church activities, the local government has no jurisdiction on these.
He stressed that the local government is only concerned with the activities outside the church, such as processions, parades, Ati-Atihan celebrations and any mass gathering while the country is still under a national health crisis.
The mayor said he won’t get tired of instructing his men to implement strict health protocols.
However, he advised shoppers to strictly follow the wearing of masks and physical distancing.