The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) is supporting the recommendations of the health department for a responsible holiday celebration which include avoiding the use of “torotot” or horn.
“The recommendation of the Department of Health ay hindi naman salungat sa (The recommendation of the Department of Health is not against) omnibus guidelines ng (of the) IATF, but I think these are reminders (of the) ng DOH on how to celebrate Christmas responsively,” Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles states.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III has recently urged the public to avoid using horns to prevent the transmission of the Coronavirus and other contagious diseases as saliva could be transferred on such devices.
“Hangga’t maaari, kahit nagme-merrymaking, naka-mask pa rin tayo kaya bawal po ‘yung mga torotot at mga whistle (As much as possible, we should wear mask even if we are merrymaking, that is why horns and whistles are not allowed),” Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje explains.
Among the recommended alternatives to firecrackers are the banging of covers of pots and pans, shaking piggy banks and tambourines, blowing of vehicle horns, playing loud music, lighting glow sticks, and beating of drums. – Report from Bea Bernardo and Mark Fetalco
