The Department of Health discouraged the public from using torotot or the traditional yuletide revelry horn to prepare for Christmas and New Year celebrations amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a video message for DOH’s Christmas campaign, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III urged the public to use firecrackers alternatives such as vehicle horns and drums.
“Maliban sa paputok, iwasan din natin ang mga paggamit ng mga torotot at mga katulad nito upang mapigilan natin ang posibleng pagkakahawa sa COVID-19 at iba pang sakit,” Duque said.
(Apart from firecrackers, we should also avoid the use of torotots and the like to prevent possible infection with COVID-19 and other diseases.)
“Humanap tayo ng ibang alternatibo sa paputok gaya ng mga tambol, busina o ‘di kaya pagpalakpak,” he added.
(Let’s look for other fireworks alternatives such as drums, horns, or applause.)
According to DOH Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje, these instruments could cause a transfer of saliva.
“Huwag po tayong gagamit ng pampaingay na gumagamit sa bibig that will cause the transfer of saliva,” Cabotaje said during the press briefing.
DOH discourages use of torotot for New Year
(Let us not use noise-making instruments that use the mouth to cause the transfer of saliva.)
“So ‘yung mga pito (whistle), ‘yung mga torotot, bawal po ngayon ‘yan. Kailangan naka-mask pa rin at nagsosocial distancing,” she added.
(So the whistles, the torotots, that is forbidden now. Everyone should wear masks and practice and social distancing.)
This DOH’s Christmas campaign for 2020 is entitled ‘Tuloy Ang Paskong Pinoy’ and included a sub-campaign against COVID-19 transmission amid the holiday season, the ‘BIDA sa Pagdiriwang.’
Aside from the use of torotot, the government also banned Christmas caroling, parties, and other mass gathering activities.
The number of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines could hit 500,000 by the end of 2021, according to the OCTA Research team.
The experts said the total number of cases could reach between 470,000 and 500,000 (with a mean of 485,000 cases) by December 31.
The virus’ reproduction number increased to 0.88. However, the researchers said the number is still below the critical level of 1 for November 22 to 28. A value higher than one shows the virus is spreading.