Christmas reunions are allowed as long as they are kept within immediate family members, officials said Monday as current quarantine classifications were extended until Dec. 31.
Authorities are guarding against a "post-holiday surge" in infections and the public should observe routine protocols: face masks, face shields, hand-washing and physical distancing, said Health Sec. Francisco Duque. In any case, the health system is ready to respond, he said.
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Metro Manila, Batangas, Iloilo City, Tacloban City, Lanao del Sur, Iligan City and Davao City will remain under GCQ, the second lowest in a four-step classification system while most of the country will be under MGCQ, one notch lower.
There will be no Christmas parties and no street caroling, said Interior Sec. Eduardo Ano. Reunions can be "considered as mass gathering" and should be kept to immediate family members.
"Immediate family members na lang sana mag-celebrate ng Christmas together, minimum health standards ipatupad," he said.
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