DOH discourages 'torotot' during yuletide revelry due to COVID threat

COVID-19 transmission scare has not spared "totorot" or the traditional yuletide revelry horn, with the Department of Health discouraging its use as Filipinos prepare to welcome Christmas and the New Year.

In a press briefing for their Christmas campaign on Thursday, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III advised in a video message to use other alternatives for firecrackers such as drums and vehicle horns.

“Maliban sa paputok, iwasan din natin ang mga paggamit ng mga torotot at mga katulad nito upang mapigilan natin ang posibleng pagkakahawa sa COVID-19 at iba pang sakit,” Duque said.

“Humanap tayo ng ibang alternatibo sa paputok gaya ng mga tambol, busina o 'di kaya pagpalakpak,” he added.

Unlike the previous years, the DOH is now discouraging even the use of these alternative noisemakers as the coronavirus can be transferred through them.

DOH Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje said these instruments may cause transfer of saliva.

“Huwag po tayong gagamit ng pampaingay na gumagamit sa bibig that will cause the tranfer of saliva,” Cabotaje said during the press briefing.

“So 'yung mga pito (whistle), ‘yung mga torotot, bawal po ngayon 'yan. Kailangan naka-mask pa rin at nagsosocial diatancing,” she added.

Titled as ‘Tuloy Ang Paskong Pinoy’, the DOH’s Christmas campaign this year included a sub-campaign addressing the threat of COVID-19 transmission amid the yuletide season, the ‘BIDA sa Pagdiriwang’. —LBG, GMA News