MAYOR Isko Moreno yesterday said this year’s Chinese New Year activities in Binondo, Manila will not be allowed, citing the continued threat posed by the COVID-19 virus even if cases in the city have considerably declined in recent days.
“I just signed Executive Order No.11 last night, an order cancelling all activities in relation to the celebration of the Chinese New Year or Lunar Year in the entire Binondo, Chinatown area,” Moreno told reporters, adding that more or less 20 barangays in the area are covered by the order.
The Chinese New Year will be celebrated on February 1.
Among the activities prohibited under Moreno’s order are fireworks display and the famous dragon dance.
“We are asking our Filipino-Chinese community not to allow dragon dance and firecrackers,” Moreno said, adding that selling and drinking of alcoholic beverages in the area will also be prohibited from January 31 to February 1.
Moreno said members of the Filipino-Chinese community can still celebrate the New Year in their residences.
He added that barangay officials and the Manila police department will strictly enforce the order to ensure the safety and welfare of the residents.
As of Monday, January 24, the city health department has reported 147 new COVID-19 cases in Manila, bringing the total number of active cases to 1,513, down from as high as 600 cases a week ago.
Cabinet Secretary and acting Presidential spokesman Karlo Nograles said the IATF will discuss this Thursday if there will be additional guidelines issued in connection with the observance of the Chinese New Year on February 1.
Nograles said the current guidelines for areas under Alert Level 2, 3 and 4 will also be observed until a new alert level classification is issued, such as the observance of venue capacities and crowding limitations, holding of activities, and visit of guests or non-household members to residences.
“But as I know it, some local government units are already going the extra mile and… through their own initiative, coming up with their own ordinances or resolutions as well to control the movement, to restrict and remind the public about what they can, they should and should not do especially in the upcoming Chinese New Year,” he added. — With Jocelyn Montemayor
