Street parties, parades prohibited during Feast of Sto. Niño in Manila

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno on Tuesday directed that there would be no street party, stage show, and parades during the Feast of Sto. Niño in Tondo and Pandacan. 

Moreno inked Executive Order No. 02, which states the need to provide stringent guidelines and regulations to avoid the spread of COVID-19 infections during the celebration on January 16 to 17. 

Moreno said such activities "can surely be an easy medium of COVID-19 spread and transmission thereby endangering the health, well-being and safety of the general public." 

The definitions of street party and other activities are as follows:

• Street party - shall refer to a party in which many members of a single community, congregate, either to observe an event of some importance or simply for mutual solidarity and enjoyment such as but not limited to Salu-Salo, dancing and/or singing in groups along public streets.

• Stage show - shall refer to stage activities such as but not limited to beauty pageants, dance, and singing contests, stage plays and other similar activities. 

• Parade - shall refer to a public procession celebrating a special day or event such as but limited to Lakbayaw and other similar activities. 

• Palarong Kalye - shall refer to all kinds of ball games such as but not limited to Basketball and Volleyball and other parlor games such as but not limited to Pabitin, Agawan Buko, Tumbang Preso, Sack Race and other similar games.

Aside from the prohibition of outdoor activities, curfew hours and liquor ban will also be enforced. 

Moreno said barangay officials and personnel from the Manila Police District are tasked to ensure that rules and regulations of the said directive will be followed. —Anna Felicia Bajo/KG, GMA News