As Filipinos return to their respective provinces to observe Holy Week, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has reminded the public to always practice minimum health and safety protocols such as wearing a face mask and observing physical or social distance.

PRC Chairman Richard Gordon said the public must observe safety protocols at all times to avoid any surge in Covid-19 cases.

He also urged the public to get a Covid-19 vaccine booster shot to further protect them from the dreaded disease.

“Muli kong hinihikayat ang ating mga kababayan na magpabakuna o kumuha ng booster shot. Mas kampante tayo na mababa ang tsansa na tayo ay mahawa at magkasakit ng malubha kung tayo ay mababakunahan (Once again, I encourage our kababayans to get vaccinated or take a booster shot. We are more comfortable and we are less likely to become infected and get seriously ill if we are vaccinated),” said Gordon.

The Holy Week sees an increase in interactions among people from different households, as Filipinos travel to the provinces or move about within cities to participate in religious activities. The Holy Week is also a time when residents leave the metropolis to spend a vacation in tourist destinations.

Recently, PRC has mobilized its volunteers and staff on the ground to be on the alert and ready to respond to any emergency during the holidays.

Over 700 emergency medical services volunteers and staff to operate123 first aid stations and ambulance units around places of worship, highways, port areas, bus terminals, tourist destinations, and gas stations during the Holy Week.