Just like karaoke, church choir is not yet allowed — DOH

MANILA, Philippines — Just like karaoke sessions, singing publicly at church is banned as it would cause possible viral transmission, the Department of Health (DOH) on Friday said.

“Kapag nagbigay ng ganitong protocol, hindi natin nililimitahan lang sa karaoke kasi marami pang pagkakataon na pwede tayo kumanta in public places. Babalik tayo sa ebidensya na kapag tayo kumakanta mas maraming viral particles na ilalabas sa katawan kung sakali tayo ay may sakit,” DOH Underscretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in an online press conference when asked about protocols on church choirs.

The traditional “Simbang Gabi” at Nuestra Señora de Gracia Parish in Guadalupe Viejo, Makati City, December 16, 2019. The dawn mass is a nine-day series of masses in Catholic churches which culminates in the Misa de Gallo on Christmas Eve. NIÑO JESUS ORBETA/PDI

(If we issue these protocols, we will not limit it to karaoke because there are more examples of singing in public areas. We will reiterate the evidence that singing will produce more viral particles from a person’s body.)

“So choir members, they are not exempted from this advisory so we would just try to strengthen our coordination with the Catholic church para naman kahit papaano ma-i-enforce ang minimum public health standards (to follow public health standards),” she added.

Vergeire said there is a need to remind minimum public health standards as Filipinos are expected to flock to churches for Simbang Gabi and other religious Christmas activities.

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JPV