IATF OKs 30% seating capacity for religious gatherings in GCQ areas

October 23, 2020

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases has allowed the increase of up to 30 percent seating or venue capacity for religious gatherings in areas under general community quarantine, its spokesman said on Friday.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the decision was reached following the recommendation of the 17 local chief executives in Metro Manila, which is under GCQ.

"The IATF...allowed religious gatherings in areas under General Community Quarantine (GCQ) up to 30 percent of the seating or venue capacity from the previous 10 percent," said Roque, who is also the IATF spokesman, said.

He noted that the Metro Manila mayors have sought the IATF approval on increasing the seating or venue capacity for religious gatherings in preparation for the "Simbang Gabi," a nine-day mass celebration for the Catholic Church, which usually starts on December 16, prior to December 25, Christmas Day.

He also said that there was a slight relaxation in the religious gatherings as the number of coronavirus disease cases has been declining with the observance of the Filipinos of quarantine protocols, such as wearing of mask and washing of hands. Celerina Monte/DMS