DoH: Hold outdoor parties, ditch buffets

THE Department of Health (DoH) has advised those who will organize or attend in-person holiday parties to follow minimum health protocols and follow the standards recommended in holding gatherings, such as ditching buffet-style food service and holding them outdoors.

The DoH statement comes in light of decreasing cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) and amid the threat of the Omicron variant.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that virtual parties remain is still the best way to prevent a possible increase in the number of cases in the community.

“Hindi pa ho nawawala ang virus, bagamat bumababa ang kaso, kailangan nating isipin na

nandyan pa rin ang Covid virus

maari pa rin tayong maka-infect (The virus still exists. While cases are going down, we should remember that Covid is still here and we can still infect),” Vergeire told reporters on Friday.

For employers wanting to hold in-person holiday activities, Vergeire urged them to rent a venue with enough ventilation, most preferably outdoors.

She also urged them to allow only fully vaccinated employees, to wear masks, observe physical distancing and not to serve food buffet-style.

“We can have plated dishes so there won’t be any congregation when you get food at the buffet table and sharing of food,” Vergeire said.

For his part, infectious diseases specialist Dr. Rontgene Solante said that it is too early to hold in-person Christmas gatherings and parties despite the decrease in the number of cases due to the presence not only of the Omicron variant, but the prevalent Delta variant.

“At this point, we need to control and prohibit big gatherings. We know we have a very high vaccination rate, but because we have a high risk of exposure like gatherings, that will be a very bad way of getting the infection,” Solante said in an interview on CNN Philippines.

If people do want to hold parties, they must ensure that everyone should be vaccinated, limiting it first to family members instead, added Solante.

Cabinet Secretary and acting Palace spokesman Karlo Alexei Nograles said that the government will release reminders regarding the holding of in-person Christmas parties, but called on everyone to never forget the adherence to health protocols under Alert Level 2, where the country is currently at.

“Huwag nating kalimutan magsuot ng mask, hugas, iwas, bakuna. So, iyan ang pinaka-essence siguro o pinakadapat umiiral sa lahat, over and above the one, two, three na enumeration, iyong safety first (We should not forget, mask, wash your hands, distance yourselves, and be vaccinated, that is the essence or what should be implemented over and above the different enumerations, which is safety first),” Nograles said.