DOH: Singing ban covers church choirs

The ban on singing to prevent COVID-19 transmission, especially during the holiday season festivities, covers church choir groups, the Department of Health said Friday.

“Kapag nagbigay tayo ng ganitong protocol, hindi ito nililimitahan sa karaoke kasi marami pang pagkakataon na tayo ay kumanta sa public places. Mayroon pong ebidensiya na kapag tayo ay kumakanta, mas maraming viral particles ang nailalabas sa ating katawan kung tayo ay maysakit,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in an online forum.

“Choir members are not exempted. We will be coordinating with the Catholic church para ma-enforce ang minimum public health standards ngayong mas madalas magsimba ang mga tao dahil sa Simbang gabi,” Vergeire added.

She was referring to nine straight days of dawn masses that Catholics hear in preparation for Christmas Day.

So far, the Philippines has recorded 454,447 COVID-19 cases. Of this number, 419,902 recovered while 8,850 died. The number of active COVID-19 cases is at 25,695. —LBG, GMA News