The Philippines will prohibit street caroling this Christmas season, a top government official said Wednesday, in a bid to avoid the likely spike in COVID-19 transmissions during the holidays.
COVID-19 policy chief implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said the country's inter-agency task force on pandemic response has decided to prohibit caroling.
"Sinabi na nga po ng IATF na 'yung caroling talagang ipinagbabawal natin," Galvez said in a virtual press briefing.
A written order on the matter has yet to be issued.
The Department of Health earlier urged the public to skip Christmas caroling as well, saying it could lead to virus transmissions.
"May lumabas po na isang study over this past week nakalagay po doon na 'yun pong pagkanta nang malalakas, it is the topmost activity that can yield mas madaming virus," Health Usec. Rosario Vergeire previously said.
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Galvez said top government officials would discuss on Thursday policies on "celebrations" during Christmas as mass gatherings remain prohibited due to the persisting threat of the virus.
The entire Philippines remains under varying levels of community quarantine even though virus restrictions have been largely eased in time for Christmas.