Churches can now hold masses at 50% capacity

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BY JOCELYN MONTEMAYOR and GERARD NAVAL

RELIGIOUS gatherings of up to 50 percent capacity of venues where they are held is now allowed in areas under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) but subject to strict adherence to minimum health standards, presidential spokesman Harry Roque announced yesterday.

Roque said the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has approved Resolution No. 43, which contained new guidelines for areas under MGCQ and general community quarantine (GCQ).

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Under Resolution 43, masses and religious activities, entertainment activities such as but not limited to move screening, concerts and sporting events, and work conferences to be held in areas under GCQ are now allowed up to 50 percent capacity of the seating venue.

Reacting to the task force decision, the Association of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines (AMRSP) appealed to the government to reconsider its decision to continue limiting the number of those who can attend religious services in GCQ areas.

In a statement, the AMRSP said it is imperative for the IATF to allow the faithful to head to their churches and attend religious services.

“We must assert that churches fulfill an essential function in our spiritual sustenance and upliftment,” said the AMRSP.

“Our people need hope and our faith renews that hope even in these most trying of times.

Allow us to pray, allow us to heal and find lasting love in His forgiving and compassionate arms,” it added.

As of 2010, there were about 76 million Catholics in the Philippines.

AMRSP said allowing religious activities is no different with the decision of the government to allow businesses and malls to reopen in a bid to restart the economy.

“If we can open businesses and malls, where surely mass gatherings and contacts can occur, why can we not open churches so that our people may find solace and may partake of the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ?” it asked.

The AMRSP said churches are prepared to resume religious services with strict health and safety protocols already in place.

“With sufficient safeguards to be put in place, we find no reason to prevent the faith communities to celebrate the Holy Eucharist and be in communion with our God,” said the AMRSP.

Resolution 43 reiterated that “any person below 21 years old, those who are 60 years old and above; those with immunodeficiency, co-morbidity or other health risks; and pregnant women shall be required to remain in their residences at all times” even if they are living in areas under the MGCQ.

It likewise stated that indoor and outdoor non-contact sports and other forms of exercise allowed in MGCQ areas also now include, but are not limited to, walking, jogging, running, biking, golf, swimming, tennis, badminton, equestrian, range shooting, and skateboarding provided that minimum public health standards such as the wearing of masks and the maintenance of social distancing protocols, and no sharing of equipment where applicable, are observed.

The latest IATF resolution also states that limited face-to-face or in-person classes may now be conducted for higher education institutions, provided that there is strict compliance with minimum public health standards, consultation with local government units, and compliance with guidelines set by the Commission on Higher Education.

HEI activities that involve mass gathering of students shall continue to be prohibited, while for basic education or elementary and high school level, the blended learning plan of the Department of Education shall still be adopted.

Only hotels and establishments that provide accommodations located in MGCQ areas and have been accredited by the Department of Tourism shall be allowed to operate.

The Resolution said that there should be no tourism-related travel between GCQ and areas where no community quarantine is in place while travel for tourism purposes between areas under MGCQ to areas where no community quarantine is in place, “while allowed, are still subject to regulations.”

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Also allowed to operate in MGCQ areas with up to 50 percent of capacity are barber shops, salons, and other personal care service establishments; dine-in restaurants, fast food and food retail establishments, including those in supermarkets, grocery stores, and food preparation establishments.

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