Duterte on Christmas COVID-19 restrictions: Just once in your lifetime

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday night apologized for the restrictions on family gatherings and other parties during the Christmas season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In his nationally-televised address, Duterte said there will be a curtailment of things that the public have been used to during the holidays to prevent the further spread of the virus.

“Ngayon pa lang we are saying sorry that there will be a curtailment of so many things that you have been used to this Christmas time,” the president said.

“Look at it this way. Of all the Christmases of your lifetime, ngayon lang naman ‘to. Isang beses lang hinihingi ng gobyerno para sa 'yo and ang ano dito is para sa 'yo… Hindi para sa gobyerno,” he said.

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.

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.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said family reunions were considered mass gatherings and are thus discouraged

The DOH also issued guidelines on the upcoming Christmas celebrations.

“You have had so many Christmas blowouts and parties. Itong kaisa-isa lang, this one Christmas, the only Christmas maybe that the government will interfere in your private affairs,” Duterte said.

“You might think it’s too much. Government does not control us, of course, we cannot control you individually if what you do is what you want. The problem is we are preventing you from getting other people sick so that’s the problem,” he said.

“Would you be kind enough just to skip the festivities? Iwasan muna ninyo. You avoid it because it is for your own good and for the good of the community and eventually for the good of the country.”

Earlier, the OCTA Research team said COVID-19 cases may reach up to 500,000 by the end of the year.

OCTA said the total number of infections could hit between 470,000 and 500,000 (with a mean of 485,000 cases) by December 31. The country reported 441,399 cases, including 8,572 deaths as of December 7.

The group appealed to the public to avoid not just crowded and enclosed areas but also to refrain from joining or organizing social gatherings this Christmas season. -NB, GMA News