The Cordillera Department of Health – Center for Health Development is reminding all residents of the importance of safely celebrating the upcoming New Year festivities. The Department encourages people to follow public safety reminders that are in line with Healthy Pilipinas’ “Ligtas Christmas para sa Healthy Pilipinas 2021” and the Bureau of Fire Protection’s (BFP) “Oplan Paalala: Iwas Paputok” campaigns and not to let their guard down against COVID-19.
In light of the new, more virulent Omicron variant, health officials advised people to continue practicing the minimum public health standards and recommends that gatherings can be held virtually to reduce physical contact.
“Be guided by five key words: Bakuna – Airflow – Mask – Hugas – Iwas,” DOH reminds.
The department, on their social media account post, encourages people to always choose healthier options, to keep consumption of fatty, sweet, salty food to a minimum and to eat more fruits and vegetables instead.
It added that in celebrations it is important to maintain healthy lifestyle by avoiding the harmful intake of alcohol and to gradually cease smoking and vaping habits.
Further, the health department encourages people to find safer alternative ways to celebrate and make noise that do not involve the use of firecrackers and fireworks.
“Firework/firecracker-related injuries should be avoided especially since the existing health human resources are needed for COVID-19 response and other emergencies,” the department reiterated.