Some cabinet members have suggested the month-long postponement of mass gatherings such as concerts, seminars, sporting and religious events including weddings while the “community quarantine” is being implemented in Metro Manila amid the COVID-19 threat.
Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said the public is free to cancel their events and ask for a refund of their expenses from hotels, restaurants, and other venues.
“Dapat may refund kasi force majeure ‘yun (There must be refund because that is force majeure). ‘Wag matakot ‘pag ayaw irefund, pwede magfile ng complaint sa (Don’t be afraid if they don’t want to refund, they can file a complaint through) DTI Consumer Complaint 1384 Hotline. Papanigan sila ng DTI para magrefund ang establishment (The DTI will take their side to make the said establishment refund),” Lopez said.
He also suggested decreasing the number of invited guests if the event cannot be cancelled.
Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles recommended that 50 persons can be in one venue, depending also on the size of the area but it would be more effective to postpone any mass gathering.
“Siguro arms length ang sinasabi lagi ang distance sa bawat isa sa wedding (They always recommend the arms length distance of between people in the wedding). Ang daming ano, di ba? Paano magki-kiss ang couple (There are lots of… How can the couple kiss?),” he asked.
“Alam natin na timeless at boundless ang pag-ibig (we know that love is timeless and boundless). What is one month postponement for love?” he added. – Report from Naomi Tiburcio
