‘Have a COVID-19 safe celebration of lunar new year’

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang yesterday reminded the public to observe health and safety protocols during the celebration of the Lunar New Year, noting that the COVID-19 case fatality rate in the country has slightly increased.

“It’s OK to celebrate but we should not forget how COVID spreads. We should continue to wear face masks, wash our hands and observe physical distancing,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque said at a press briefing.

“You can celebrate without getting sick, especially now that the vaccines are here. We know that most of the cases are mild and asymptomatic but there is a slight increase in the number of deaths so let’s take care of our lives so we can really celebrate beyond Chinese New Year,” he added.

Roque noted that the case fatality rate in the Philippines has risen slightly to 2.1 percent while the total number of infections has reached more than 537,000. The Philippines has 26,333 active COVID-19 cases as of yesterday.

He also revealed that the government’s pandemic task force has allowed a mall by the Manila Bay to have a fireworks display to welcome the Chinese new year.

Meanwhile, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said workers who will opt to enjoy the holiday and not report for work on Friday are not getting any pay. But those who would choose to work shall get extra pay.

“If the employee does not report for work, the ‘no work, no pay’ principle shall apply unless there is a favorable company policy, practice or collective bargaining agreement (CBA) granting payment on a special day,” it said.

Under the rules, work done on special holiday shall be paid an additional 30 percent for the first eight hours of work. Work done in excess of eight hours shall be paid an additional 30 percent of the hourly rate.

But for work done that also falls on the employee’s rest day, an additional 50 percent of basic wage on the first eight hours and additional 30 percent shall be given for overtime. – Mayen Jaymalin