Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Monday night discouraged families from holding reunions during the holidays to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
“[This Christmas season],hindi po papayagan ang Christmas party, hindi rin papayagan ang Christmas caroling at wala pong mass gathering,” Año said in a televised briefing with President Rodrigo Duterte and Cabinet officials.
“Iyon pong family reunion ay isang considered na mass gathering,” he added.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III earlier pleaded to the public to celebrate Christmas only with immediate family members.
“Dapat limitado na sa immediate family members at sa tahanan na lamang ang pagdiriwang nito. Huwag nang mag-imbita ng mga iba pang mga kamag-anak na galing kung saan-saan at hindi tayo nakakasiguro kung sila ba ay free or ligtas sa Covid, e kung hindi ay baka makahawa,” Duque said in a Laging Handa briefing on Monday.
Minors now allowed to go to malls
Año also said that minors may now go to malls but only if they are accompanied by their parents.
“Para na rin po sa Kapaskuhan ay doon po sa pinag-utos natin na puwede ng gradual expansion ng mga age group para makalabas, ang mga minors po basta accompanied ng mga magulang ay papayagang makalabas at makapunta sa mall,” Año said.
“Ito ay pagtitibayin sa mga ordinansa ng ating mga mayors dun sa lugar ng GCQ,” he added. John Ezekiel J. Hirro###