Galvez orders stricter enforcement of health measures vs COVID-19 for Christmas season

In anticipation of festivities during the Christmas season, National Task Force Against COVID-19 chief implementer Carlito Galvez Jr. instructed authorities to conduct stricter enforcement of minimum health standards to prevent transmission of the virus.

In a Palace briefing on Thursday, Galvez said the government is expecting a "very imminent" increase in the number of COVID-19 cases during the period.

“Nag-text na po ako sa ating chief PNP (Philippine National Police) and also with our Armed Forces of the Philippines na magkaroon po talaga ng stricter enforcement ng minimum health standards,” he said.

Galvez said he also directed local government units and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to do the same.

Galvez advised the Department of Trade and Industry to conduct regular inspection in malls especially in dining services such as restaurants.

He encouraged mall owners to deploy marshals inside their establishments to ensure shoppers are observing the minimum health standards to prevent the spread of the virus.

“Meron din kaming pino-forward na galing sa Cebu Doctors’ na nagbigay po ng paalala on how we will have a very cautious celebration of Christmas,” Galvez added.

On Thursday, the COVID-19 case tally in the country rose to 424,297  after the Department of Health reported 1,392 new infections.

The total number of recoveries rose to 387,266 with 328 more patients recovered, while the death toll climbed to 8,242 with 27 new fatalities.—AOL, GMA News