Even as the government has relaxed movement restrictions to spur business activities, people must avoid talking while eating in restaurants to avoid the risk of spread of the coronavirus disease, Malacañang said Monday.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque has urged diners to stay “quiet” during meals and save the conversation before and after eating while wearing their masks and shields for protection.
(OPS / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
The latest appeal from the Palace came after authorities monitored a slight increase in COVID cases in some parts of the country amid the onset of the holiday season.
"Ngayong nagdidiwang tayo at bukas ang mga negosyo siguro mag-ingat din tayo. Bagamat puwede na tayong lumabas sa mga restaurants na hanggang 70 percent, bawasan natin 'yung pagsasalita habang kumakain dahil diyan talaga nakakahawa kapag tinanggal ang face mask at ang face shield para kumain (Now that we are celebrating and businesses are open, let's continue to take precautions. Although we can go to restaurants allowed to as much as 70 percent, let's reduce talking while eating because transmission may happen when we remove our face mask and shield to eat)," Roque said during a Palace press briefing aired on State television.
"Kung pupuwede po, saka na kayo magtsismisan kapag nakakain na. Puwede naman kayo magtsismisan kapag naglalakad sa mall o habang wala pa ang pagkain pero pag nandiyan ang pagkain, quiet muna. Baka mamaya nagdidiwang, magkasakit naman (If possible, let's gossip after eating. We can gossip while walking in the mall or while waiting for the food. But when the food arrives, let's stay quiet. While we celebrate, we might end up falling sick)," he added.
Roque said the public must continue to observe health protocols such as wearing of masks, frequent washing of hands, and one-meter distancing from others, especially during the holiday celebration to prevent the COVID transmission. He said people must bear with these precautions while waiting for the arrival of the coronavirus vaccine in the country, which is expected to be next year.
"Baka mamaya kung hindi Pasko, eh ang Bagong Taon nakaospital kayo. Huwag naman po. Para maging merry, kailangan mag-ingat (You might end up in the hospital if not this Christmas but in the New Year. Let's hope not. To have a merry Christmas, let's take precautions)," he said.
So far, Roque noted that authorities monitored a slight increase in infections in recent days although the country's general COVID trend remains downward. "Hindi pa lumalabas na mayroon tayong surge pero kinakailangan patuloy tayong mag-ingat (It does not appear that we have a surge but we must continue to remain on guard)," he said.
Health authorities had earlier warned against the potential surge of COVID cases after the holidays as the country's community quarantine rules have been relaxed. Dine-in services of restaurants and fast-food establishments have been allowed at more than 50 percent operational capacity providing distancing rule is observed.
The public has repeatedly been advised by the government not to be complacent and instead continue to comply with minimum health standards to curb the coronavirus spread. Christmas parties, caroling, and large reunions have been prohibited by the government task force as a precaution against the illness.
As of Dec. 13, the country has recorded 449,400 cases of coronavirus with 8,733 deaths and 418,687 recoveries.