PNP discourages Christmas party gatherings amid COVID-19

The Philippine National Police advised the public on Monday not to hold traditional Christmas parties in light of the threat of COpartVID-19 and its emerging variants.

At a press conference, PNP chief Police General Dionardo Carlos also reminded the advice of health officials to limit Christmas gathering within the family and vaccinated close friends.

He added that minimum public health standards should still be maintained.

“The PNP discourages the holding of traditional Christmas gathering among family members, co-workers, schoolmates and circle of friends while the threat of COVID-19 and its variants continue to raise public health concerns,” he said.

In October, Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said Halloween and Christmas parties are allowed, as long as these gatherings are done within the "bubble" of their families.

“Mass gatherings are still prohibited, [but those taking place] within the bubble of the family are allowed, but safety protocols needed to be implemented,” she said.

From November 29 to December 5, the independent group OCTA Research said the reproduction rate in the National Capital Region (NCR) fell down to 0.35 from 0.36.

This is also lower compared to the 0.92 record during the same period in 2020. — RSJ, GMA News