Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte is limiting traditional mass gatherings such as fiestas, processions, and parades to curb the spread of COVID-19.
“Dahil inaasahan na natin ang mga pagtitipon sa mga piyesta, Chinese New Year at iba pang pagdiriwang sa mga susunod na buwan, minabuti na nating kumilos agad upang maiwasan na ang mass gatherings na posibleng pag-ugatan ng pagkalat ng COVID-19 (We are anticipating mass gatherings due to the fiestas, the Chinese New Year, and other celebrations in the coming months so we decided to act immediately to prevent these mass gatherings that could possibly cause the spread of COVID-19),” Belmonte said in a statement on Friday, Jan.7.
The city mayor issued Memorandum No. 02-22 prohibiting processions, parades, Santacruzan, and other religious and community celebrations.
“Public games and contests, such as pageants, singing or band contests, bingo, pabitin, paluan ng palayok, agawan or tug of war are also prohibited (Public games and contests, such as pageants, singing or band contests, bingo are also prohibited),”she said.
Tournaments, group contact sports such as basketball, public buffets, and boodle fights are also not allowed.
She also banned public drinking, including drinking outdoors or on sidewalks, group videoke, or other celebratory gatherings that violate social distancing, noise pollution, or other noise nuisances due to excessive merrymaking and mingling of multiple households through large parties or traditional “open door” fiesta celebrations.
Belmonte, however, allowed various activities for individuals who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, subject to social distancing and other applicable health protocols.
These activities include modest celebrations conducted within the home and among the immediate household; masses and other religious solemnities; religious or traditional rituals for purposes of blessing buildings or establishments; and celebrations conducted primarily for an online audience, with very limited physical attendance.
Mayor Belmonte allowed the conduct of Dragon Dance or Lion Dance activities to observe and celebrate the forthcoming Chinese New Year, provided these will be held in one designated area only and cordoned off from the general public and participants must be fully vaccinated.