Religious gatherings now up to 30% capacity in GCQ areas — Palace spox

The Philippines’ COVID-19 task force has eased restrictions on religious gatherings in areas under general community quarantine, Malacañang said Friday.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) has allowed religious gatherings of up to 30% of the seating or venue capacity from 10% previously.

The IATF’s decision came days after Metropolitan Manila Development Authority general manager Jojo Garcia said the curfew hours in Metro Manila could be shortened to three hours (12 a.m. to 3 a.m.) in December

“Wala na kasi tayong Undas, sarado ang ating mga sementeryo, tapos marami na rin tayong nakansela, so siguro naman kahit papano magkaroon naman tayo ng pagpapatuloy ng ating mga Christmas traditions bagama’t 30% lang po ang ating pupuwedeng Simbang Gabi,” Roque said at the Laging Handa briefing.

For areas under modified general community quarantine, the policy remains at 50% of seating or venue capacity of the place of worship. — Virgil Lopez/RSJ, GMA News