DAVAO City Vice Mayor Sebastian Duterte reminded Dabawenyos to be mindful of celebrations and gatherings at home this Christmas Season, which is being feared to be a possible superspreader event.

"Please do not forget to follow the minimum health protocols and ensure the safety of our families and loved ones during this special occasion," Duterte said during the Christmas Lighting ceremony at the Davao City Hall on Friday, December 3.

He also said, "Let us continue to work together in making the coming new year a better and a healthier one."

The vice mayor also wished the public "a safe, joyful, and meaningful Christmas and a blessed new year ahead."

The Christmas Lighting ceremony is one of the highlights of the month-long celebration of the Pasko Fiesta.

Prior to the lighting ceremony, the City Government sponsored a Christmas Thanksgiving Mass at the San Pedro Cathedral.

Vice presidential aspirant and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio joined the mass.

The mass is the opening event of the Pasko Fiesta online celebration.

A photo souvenir was taken with some department heads of the City afterward.

The current Pasko Fiesta activities are done virtually due to the current Covid-19 pandemic.

Davao Covid-19 Task Force Spokesperson Dr. Michelle Schlosser recently said in a radio interview that the public should be cautious in doing gatherings this Christmas.

While the city, currently under Alert Level 2, does not restrict gatherings within residences, Schlosser, however, cautioned that this might become a "superspreader" event.

Duterte-Carpio also said the city is anticipating a possible surge by the first quarter of 2022 following the Holidays if the public will not abide by the minimum health protocols.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire, in a virtual press briefing, said they would still recommend virtual Christmas gatherings to avoid transmission of the virus.