Religious, work gatherings not allowed anymore under GCQ, says Palace

May 1, 2020

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases  withdrew its earlier decision to allow religious and work gatherings in areas in the country under the general community quarantine.

In the "Laging Handa" press briefing Friday, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said this was reached after the Palace received complaints from various sectors and officials about the earlier IATF decision to allow these types of gatherings provided that a two-meter physical distancing and wearing of masks of the attendees would be enforced.

"I just want to announce, I came from the IATF (meeting), which is still ongoing right now and based on the complaints from the local officials, it's impossible to implement social distancing in religious meeting and on work gatherings. Thus, the guidelines have been changed. We have returned to the rules under ECQ (enhanced community quarantine)," he said.

Under the ECQ, all mass gatherings, including religious activities, are prohibited to prevent further spread of coronavirus disease.

On Thursday, Roque announced that beginning May 1 when the GCQ's implementation starts in areas with low to moderate risks of COVID-19 infections, "essential work gatherings and religious activities may continue so long as strict social distancing, defined as the strict maintenance of at least two-meter distance between and among those attending, and the mandatory wearing of face mask, face shield, or other facial protective equipment by attendees, is maintained during the entirety of the event."

Following the opposition of the LGUs, Roque said since Thursday, the Palace has consulted various religious groups, such as the Muslims, Christians, Protestants, and Iglesia ni Cristo, and all have agreed on the need to ensure first the health of the faithfuls.

"They agreed not to push for the meantime the religious meetings while under GCQ," he said.

Roque said there are many ways to pray and participate in the religious activities without physically going to the church, such as listening to the radio or watching television.

Quoting a government official from Mindanao, Roque said  in the case of the Muslims, it would be hard to observe social distancing inside a mosque.

Most of the provinces and cities in the country have been placed under GCQ starting May 1. Under GCQ, more businesses are allowed to open. But social distancing, proper hygiene, such as frequent hand washing, and wearing of masks are still enforced.

The only areas which remain under ECQ or lockdown until May 15 where  most businesses are still not operational and residents are advised to remain at home are Metro Manila,  Region III or Central Luzon, except Aurora province; Region IV-A or Calabarzon; Pangasinan; Benguet; Iloilo; Cebu; Bacolod City and Davao City. Celerina Monte/DMS