ILOILO – There will be no Christmas parties for all offices and departments of the provincial government, according to Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr.
“We will not have Christmas parties and neither lights display. We will just devote this to our frontliners,” the governor said.
The Iloilo provincial capitol, according to the Defensor, will be paying tribute to frontliners serving in the battle against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) instead of mounting office parties, which could increase the risk of transmission of the highly-contagious illness.
He cited Executive Order No. 183-G, Series of 2020 implementing additional community quarantine measures on the movement of persons, minimum public health standards in establishments, industries and livelihood sectors, and public event and gatherings.
Defensor’s latest directive discouraged government and private offices, establishments and organizations from holding Christmas and New Year parties.
It only allowed family Christmas and New Year gatherings but these must only include immediate members of the family and members of the household.
“It’s better for our economy if we are in the new normal by January, instead of loosening for the economy in December but destroying everything by January,” said Defensor.
COVID-19 is spread mainly through close contact from person-to-person. Some people without symptoms may be able to spread the virus.
Transmission is possible between people who are in close contact with one another (within about six feet) and through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks.
These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
As of Sunday, Iloilo province had a total of 2,711 COVID-19 cases, 249 of which were active, 2,366 recovered and 96 died./PN
