Malay town prohibits San Juan celebration

The local government unit (LGU) of Malay town in Aklan province will prohibit gatherings and celebration of the feast of St. John the Baptist or “San Juan” due to the threats from COVID-19.

In an advisory issued on Sunday, the local government deemed it necessary to prohibit all kinds of gatherings and celebration of San Juan as COVID-19 cases in the town continue to rise.

Traditionally, “San Juan” or the Nativity of St. John, is celebrated through gatherings and swimming activities of families in beaches, resorts, or rivers.

“This is because, we have been celebrating of San Juan traditionally through gathering by the beach or rivers. However, during this time of pandemic, allowing the celebration of San Juan is considered dangerous as COVID-19 cases in the municipality is continuously rising. We are asking for your understanding as we cannot risk the further increase of COVID-19 cases,” the advisory said.

According to Malay Mayor Floribar Bautista, the prohibition of San Juan celebration is part of their stringent measures to prevent the spread of the virus.

The local government of Malay also noted that their assessment indicated that COVID-19 transmission in the town was caused by local gatherings.

“Ang pagdumili naton sa tradisyonal nga selebrasyon sang San Juan dako gid ang bulig para mapunggan ang paglapta sang kaso sang Covid-19 ilabi na nga padayon nga nagasaka ang kaso diri sa aton munisipalidad,” he said in a radio interview on Monday.

As of June 19, Malay has 519 total confirmed cases with 82 active cases, 433 recoveries, and 4 deaths. (ERS)