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What other noisemakers can you indulge in if firecrackers and torotots are discouraged this New Year?

As the New Year revelry amid a pandemic approaches, the Department of Health (DOH) reminded the public torotots are discouraged, along with the use of firecrackers.

During an interview on "Unang Hirit," DOH NCR Regional Director Dr. Flores Corazon said torotots are also discouraged.

 "Talagang ikinikampanya po natin na iwasan po natin to dahil 'yung iniiwasan ang pag-talsik ng tinatawag natin na droplet. Usually, pag hinihipan, nagda- droplet 'yan," she said.

Instead, she named a few safer noise-making activities that families can do, such as honking the cars and banging your pots and pans. 

"Una, andiyan 'yung pag-alog ng mga alkansiya para mag-ingay, pamukpok ng kaldero, pagtugtog ng malakas ng radyo," Corazon said.

"Puwede po nating businahin ang sasakyan, or puwede po kung meron kayong tambol sa bahay," she added.

"Puwede rin po 'yung mga tamborine and 'yung mga pailaw glowsticks, para naman po masigla at masaya po tayo."

She discouraged belting out tunes and enjoying a tipple because "syempre, kapag kumakanta ng malakas, nagkakaraoke, tumatalsik ang laway. Kaya lagi po [tayong] mag-ingat," Corazon said.

Additionally, Corazon noted that there are community firework displays that families can enjoy from home, instead of lighting up their own.

Families can even see how other countries as welcoming 2021 in the internet, like Hong Kong, which will share its new year countdown on the Hong Kong Tourism Board website and social media platforms for the very first time.

"Manood na lang po kayo, manood tayo sa YouTube, manood na lang po kayo sa FB, manood na lang po kayo sa TV, huwag na pong lumabas ang mga tao para po maging safe po tayong lahat," said the DOH official.

Metro Manila mayors have agreed to prohibit all kinds of firecrackers this holiday season, while the DOH has earlier issued an announcement about the dangers of torotot amid COVID-19.

According to DOH, up to 14 firecracker related cases have already been reported ahead of antcipated New Year's Eve celebrations.

— Margaret Claire Layug/LA, GMA News