Faithful reminded to follow safety, health rules under MGCQ

FILE: Interior of National Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage (Photo by EDITOR685422/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0)

MANILA – Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Thursday reminded the public in modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) areas to comply with safe physical distancing measures and health protocols in religious gatherings.

Speaking to newsmen, Guevarra reiterated that under Resolution No. 43 of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) approved on Wednesday, a maximum of 50 percent of seating capacity or venue in MGCQ areas is allowed for religious activities.

“This is subject to minimum health standards such as one-meter physical distancing, wearing of face masks, sanitizing of hands (and) no physical contact,” he said.

Guevarra said that before the MGCQ, the maximum number for religious gatherings in GCQ areas is 10 persons only while these are completely banned under the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).

“In modified ECQ areas, (a) maximum of five persons only,” he added.

The MECQ has been lifted following the easing of quarantine rules amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) on June 1.

From June 1 to 15, Pangasinan, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Metro Manila, Central Visayas, Zamboanga City, Davao City, Mandaue City, and Cebu City would be under a more relaxed GCQ, while the rest of the country would be under MGCQ.

On Wednesday, the Palace said the faithful could continue their “personal” relationship with God even without the religious activities amid the pandemic.