Holiday, Divisoria shoppers reminded: Risk of getting COVID-19 in crowds ‘very high’

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) reminded holiday shoppers Monday—including those in Divisoria—to take caution as the risk of contracting the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is high in crowded areas.

Vergeire issued the reminder as shoppers begin to flock popular shopping areas such as Divisoria for the upcoming holiday season.

“Gusto lang natin ipaalala na ang risk ng pagkakahawa-hawa ay napakalaki kapag tayo ay nakakapunta sa mga lugar na maraming tao katulad nung sa Divisoria noong weekend,” Vergeire said in a press briefing.

(We want to remind that the risk of catching and spreading the virus is very high when we go to crowded areas like what happened in Divisoria over the weekend.)

“Gusto ko lang paalalahanan ang ating mga kababayan na bagaman alam natin na sabik na tayo na magpunta sa mga mall, mamili tayo para sa mga pampasko natin, alalahanin natin na nandyan pa rin yung virus at ang virus, mas maihahawa sa mga tao,” she added.

(We want to remind the public that even if we are excited to go to malls and buy our Christmas gifts, remember that the virus is still there and it can be transmitted.)

Vergeire said that even if shoppers are wearing face masks and face shields, they can still contract the virus especially in crowded areas.

“Alam nyo, kahit kayo ay nakamask at nakaface shield pero kayo ay pupunta sa mga matataong lugar na halos dikit-dikit kayo, maaari pa rin kayong mahawa. The risk is there and it’s very high,” Vergeire said.

(Even if you are wearing a face mask and face shield but you go to a crowded area where there is no distancing, you can still contract the disease. The risk is there and it’s very high.)

“Kaya nga atin sana iwasan ang pagpunta sa mga  matataong lugar, kung maaari. At kung saka-sakaling kailangan naman taalgang mamili dahil that’s part of our celebration, maaari naman siguro na magkaroon tayo ng mga ibang pamamaraan para magkaroon ng ganitong mga activities for yourselves,” she added.

(That’s why we are asking that we avoid going to crowded areas, if possible. And if there really is a need to shop because that’s a part of our celebration, maybe we can think of other means that we still have these activities for yourselves.)

The DOH earlier called on the public to make use of online activities for a safer celebration of the coming Christmas season due to the threat of COVID-19.

JE