Malacañang on Wednesday urged individuals who have yet to receive Covid-19 vaccine doses to only attend virtual Simbang Gabi this year.
In a virtual presser, acting Palace spokesman Karlo Nograles said it would be “better” if only vaccinated individuals attended Christmas novena Masses held in the evening or dawn.
“Bukas, Dec. 16, simula na ang Simbang Gabi. Ituloy po natin i-observe ang minimum public health standards – mag-mask po, hugas, iwas pa rin po tayo lalo na nandiyan pa rin iyong banta ng Omicron variant,” Nograles said.
“Sa mga hindi pa po bakunado, mas mainam po na mag-attend na lang po ng online or virtual Simbang Gabi; mas mainam po magpabakuna na po tayo,” he added.
The country has launched national vaccination drives to increase the number of jabs administered and to vaccinate more Filipinos before the Christmas season.
The second phase of the “Bayanihan Bakunahan” program is ongoing, until Dec. 17
The Philippines has administered over 98 million Covid-19 vaccine doses.
Forty-two million Filipinos have completed their vaccinations, while 55.1 million have yet to receive their second doses. John Ezekiel J. Hirro