Sen. Win Gatchalian. Senate PRIB file photo / Joseph Vidal
MANILA, Philippines — The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases should prohibit the holding of fiestas, street parades and processions while the country still battles with the coronavirus pandemic, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said Wednesday.
In a Twitter post, Gatchalian wrote: Hindi pa tapos laban atin sa Covid. Dapat mahigpit na huwag payagan ng IATF ang lahat ng: (Our battle with Covid is not yet over. The IATF should strictly prohibit the holding of the following:)
1. Fiesta
2. Prosesiyon
3. Street parades
4. Mass gatherings
5. Mass celebrations.”
“Dapat i-ban na kaagad,” he added. (These should be banned immediately.)
Hindi pa tapos laban atin sa COVID. Dapat mahigpit na huwag payagan ng IATF ang lahat ng:
1. Fiesta
2. Prosesiyon
3. Street parades
4. Mass gatherings
5. Mass celebrationsDapat i-ban na kaagad.
— Sherwin Gatchalian (@stgatchalian) January 13, 2021
Gatchalian’s remarks came after the Octa Reseach team observed a “clear upward trend” of Covid-19 cases following increased public activity during the holidays.
Octa Research warned the government of the possibility of a “significant surge” in COVID-19 cases in the next few weeks in Metro Manila due to increased social gatherings.
It said the likelihood of a new and more infectious Covid-19 variant may already be in the Philippines and “super spreader” events such as the celebration of the Black Nazarene may contribute to the possible surge.
As of Jan. 12, the Philippines has recorded 491,258 COVID-19 cases: 23,532 are considered active, 458,172 have recovered while 9,554 have succumbed to the disease.
Mass gatherings remain prohibited under general community quarantine.