The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) urged on Monday, Dec, 6, local governments units (LGUs) to craft guidelines on caroling activities in areas under alert level 2 for the Christmas season.
DILG Undersecretary for barangay operations Martin Diño in a GMA News report, stressed the need for the LGUs to set parameters for the safety of the carolers in the midst of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
Aside from the observance of the minimum health standards, Diño noted that minors aged 11 years old and below are still barred to join the carollers because they are not yet vaccinated against COVID-19.
“Depende na rin sa mga protocol na ibibigay ng ating mga LGU. Kung anong ibibigay ng mga mayor, tapos sa barangay din. Palagay ko, dapat din sila (mayors) makipag-coordinate sa barangay para ma-secure natin 'yong health protocols (It depends on the protocols that will be issued by the LGU. On what the mayor decides to impose, also at the barangay level. I think they also must coordinate with the barangay to secure our health protocols)," Diño said.
The mayors of the National Capital Region (NCR) are now discussing the uniformed policy and guidelines they wish to enforce regarding caroling.
After being banned last year, the traditional Christmas caroling will now be allowed in areas under alert level 2 under certain conditions as the number of new coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) cases have steadily declined.
On Nov. 10, DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said that persons must be vaccinated against COVID-19 before conducting caroling indoors, which is subject to the establishment’s capacity.
“Under alert 2, caroling is allowed provided that (minimum public health standard) is strictly followed and subject to the operational capacity of the venue of the caroling: 50 percent and vaccinated individuals only if indoor, and 70 percent if outdoor,” Malaya said.