By GENALYN KABILING
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MASS gatherings for religious purposes remain prohibited as a precaution against the spread of the new coronavirus disease, Malacañang announced Tuesday despite the government’s recent move to further relax the quarantine restrictions across the country.
The decision not to allow large religious gatherings was reached by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) during a meeting last Monday, according to Presidential spokesman Harry Roque.
“Naka-agenda kahapon at nagkaroon ng desisyon na hindi muna papayagan ang mass gathering for religious purposes,” he said during a Palace press briefing aired on state television.
Roque said the government will take into consideration certain health factors, including the doubling rate of coronavirus cases, before deciding on whether to allow mass gatherings for religious activities.
“I cannot say when mapapayagan po yan pero titingnan natin ang datos. Titingnan natin kung ang case doubling rate, titingnan natin ang preparedness for critical care. Pero sa ngayon po, hindi pa po papapyagan ang mass gathering for religious purposes,” he said.
Last week, the government task force held a virtual meeting with some representatives of religious groups on their proposal to ease the prohibition on large gatherings in places of worship. Roque at the time said they welcomed the detailed plans of church leaders on how to implement safe distancing in their activities but the task force will still review the matter.
The government task force initially allowed religious gatherings in areas under general community quarantine if minimum public health standards will be observed.
The IATF however later recalled its decision after some local executives reportedly opposed the resumption of these large religious gatherings due to concern about the potential spread of the disease.
The IATF has recently issued guidelines on community quarantine including the rules governing mass gatherings.
In areas under GCQ, religious gatherings are limited to 10 persons in areas unless
otherwise modified through new issuances of the task force.
In modified general community quarantine areas (MGCQ), religious gatherings will be allowed under guidelines as may be declared through IATF issuances.
