MASANTOL - The coronavirus disease (Covid-19) has disrupted not only the daily lives of the people but also the decades-long celebration of the feast of St. John the Baptist.
Every June 24th, residents of this town celebrate the fiesta through street revelries and splashing of water among passers-by.
However, the local government here prohibited such kind of celebration this year as it invites the gathering of people which is prohibited under modified general community quarantine.
Mayor Danilo Guintu, through Executive Order No. 027 S. 2020, banned public celebrations and other forms of social gathering, including drinking of alcoholic beverages in public places during the feast of St. John the Baptist.
Guintu said in the EO that private observance shall also be subjected to minimum health protocols prescribed by the Inter-Agency Task Force and local government.
"Usual forms of celebration are discouraged during this time to promote and ensure public health and safety as the threat of Covid-19 is still active," Guintu said.