IN anticipation of the various fiestas and other religious festivals that will be celebrated by various barangays in the coming months, the Quezon City government has moved to limit traditional mass gatherings associated with such celebrations to mitigate 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,” said Mayor Joy Belmonte.
Belmonte issued Memorandum No. 02-22, prohibiting activities such as processions, parades, Santacruzan and the like during barangay fiestas, religious festivals and services, the Chinese New Year or other community celebrations.
The Mayor also banned other public celebrations involving mass gatherings, including fairs, perya, variety shows, fireworks displays, ati-atihan or other public performances.
“Public games and contests, such as pageants, singing or band contests, bingo,
pabitin, paluan ng palayok, agawan, or tug of war are also prohibited,” she said, adding that 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 commingling of multiple households through large parties or traditional “open door” fiesta celebrations.
Belmonte however has 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.
Belmonte also allowed the conduct of Dragon Dance or Lion Dance activities to observe and celebrate the forthcoming Chinese New Year, provided they will be held in one designated area only and cordoned off from the general public. Participants must likewise be fully vaccinated.
The City’s Law and Order Cluster, regulatory departments, barangays, and the Quezon City Police District are mandated to enforce the latest guidelines issued by Belmonte.
