DOH warns public against karaoke session during holiday season

‘Tis the season to be jolly but during the Laging Handa online press briefing today, November 7, 2020, the Department of Health (DOH) warned the public on the possible transmission of Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) through activities like karaoke.

DOH Undersecretary and spokesperson Maria Rosario Vergeire cited studies showing that singing is one of the activities that has the highest viral load transmission compared to other activities like talking and breathing.

“Dito ipinakita kapag ikaw ay nagsasalita, na kapag ikaw ay humihinga, kapag ikaw ay umuubo at nakikita sa pag-aaral na ito na kapag ikaw ay kumakanta ito ang pinakamataas na load ng virus na puwede mong mai-transmit… So syempre, pag may mga ganito pong ebidensya, ang Department of Health po, because we base our recommendations on science and evidence, sinasabi natin na hindi muna natin maire-rekomenda na itong videoke [bars] ay mabuksan natin,” Vergeire said.

However, Vergeire said that when it comes to the members of a family, those who do not go outside, will be allowed but those in public and in parties with friends are advised to avoid the activity (karaoke) for the meantime.

Last October, the DOH has released a guideline for the holiday season which includes that the public should instead conduct celebrations virtually, do their shopping online, and attend online masses, among others.

Multiple areas of Cebu had already banned karaoke during the weekdays.

Among them are Cebu City, Mandaue City, Danao City, and Santa Fe.

As of November 6, there are 393, 961 active COVID-19 cases, 7,485 deaths, and about 350,000 recoveries.

Photo from windowseat.ph