Año: Family reunions are mass gatherings, discouraged

Family reunions are considered mass gatherings and are thus discouraged over the Christmas holidays, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said on Monday.

"Katulad po ng plano na hindi papayagan ang Christmas party, Christmas caroling, walang mass gathering, yung family reunion ay considered na mass gathering," Año said.

"Katulad ng sabi ni Secretary Duque, yung immediate family na lang po sana ang mag-celebrate ng Christmas together at yung minimum health standards ay ipatutupad," he added.

In October, Metro Manila mayors discouraged the holding of Christmas parties amid the threat of COVID-19.

Authorities have also banned caroling as studies showed that individuals release respiratory droplets when singing.

Meanwhile, the Department of Health advised the public to hold Christmas parties only among members of the same household as it warned of potential rise in COVID-19 cases should they invite people from different households.

“‘Wag na muna magkaroon ng pagtitipon-tipon... ‘wag na muna magkaroon ng pagpunta sa kamag-anakan this coming holiday dahil ‘yan ay napaka-risky at maaring magdulot ng pagtaas uli ng kaso sa ating bansa,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said during the Laging Handa briefing.

“Party within the household lamang,” she said, noting that household parties should observe minimum health protocols such as physical distancing.

The DOH also issued guidelines on the upcoming Christmas celebrations. -NB, GMA  News