Filipinos brace for Christmas sans parties

Manila, Oct 25 : Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, Filipinos are bracing for a party-less Christmas as the government has moved to to retain strict virus-induced lockdown measures until the end of the year.
Authorities have said that imposing the restrictions, which include a ban on Christmas parties, are necessary to keep a surge in the cases in check, Xinhua news agency reported on Sunday.
Christmas is marked by big celebrations in the Philippines, where around 80 per cent of the population are Catholic.
Traditional masses, family gatherings, and endless parties are held during the season that kicks off as early as September.
Christmas trimmings and blinking lights pop up in malls, the streets, and the parks.
Radio stations also start to play Christmas carols and festive hits in the run-up to Christmas Day.