It’s safe to organize, attend public gatherings despite COVID-19 scare — DOH, DILG, DOT
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health, Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Department of Tourism on Tuesday released a joint statement announcing that “it is safe to organize and attend public gatherings, meetings and festivals as long as all precautionary measures identified by the DOH
The joint statement, signed by three Cabinet secretaries, is a clarification of the DOH’s advisory on concerts and other public events and gatherings issued last February 7.
Health measures in place
“The guidelines in handling
“The safety of the public, especially our tourists and employees in the tourism sector, remains the priority of the Philippine government,” they added.
The DOH earlier recommended cancellation of big events or mass gatherings such as concerts, among others, “until further notice”
It also warned the public against organizing or going to events with a huge number of attendees and advised them to practice self-protection measures.
Prior to the DOH’s advisory, however,
President Rodrigo Duterte earlier declared temporary travel ban to China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.
These travel restrictions, however,
Follow DOH's guidelines, event organizers told
Despite this, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said “the clarification bodes well for the tourism industry” citing that that the Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) sector is a huge contributor of tourism revenues and jobs.
“The MICE business has a long value chain involving the accommodation, transportation, food, recreation and retail sectors. It is critical that MICE events already
Following the clarification, Puyat encouraged event planners and organizers “to be more circumspect and to implement the guidelines prescribed by the DOH.”
“Equally important is the role of the DILG and the local government units in enforcing and monitoring the implementation of the said guidelines to ensure the safety of our guests,” she added.
'Nationwide shopping sale to push through '
In a separate television interview, Puyat revealed that the country would hold a “nationwide shopping malls” sale in the whole month of March to attract local and foreign tourists.
Puyat said this
"Again, with the Department of Health, as long as precautionary measures are in place it's okay to have that nationwide sale," the tourism chief said in an interview with ANC.
The DOT also earlier announced that the tourism sector agreed to lower rates of tour packages, flights and accommodations amid the coronavirus threat.
Follow this page for updates on a mysterious pneumonia outbreak that has struck dozens of people in China.
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