MANILA, Philippines — Home religious services are now allowed in areas placed under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ), Malacañang announced Saturday.
“Pwede na rin po magbigay ng home religious services — mga pari, mga imam, mga rabbi at iba pang mga religious ministers,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in the “Laging Handa” press briefing.
(priests, imams, rabbis, and other religious ministers are now allowed to conduct home religious services.)
Roque added that while home religious services are allowed, health protocols such as wearing of face masks and social distancing must be strictly observed, Roque added.
Aside from this, manpower recruitment and placement agencies for overseas employment are now also allowed to resume operations, but with just 50 percent of employees allowed to work.
Also now permitted to operate in MECQ areas are firearms and ammunition training establishments “subject to strict regulation of the Firearms and Explosives Office,” the presidential spokesperson said.
As of areas under general community quarantine (GCQ), swimming is now one of the sports activities allowed, as it is recognized as a “non-contact sport.”
Beginning Saturday, Metro Manila and other areas are now under MECQ after being recognized as “high risk” areas for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Meanwhile, Cebu City and Mandaue City are under an enhanced community quarantine.
People living in high-risk areas will continue to be strictly restricted under the lockdown, with most only allowed to leave their homes to buy food and other basic necessities and in cases of emergency.
Some industries are being allowed to reopen on a limited capacity in areas under MECQ, Roque earlier said.
Currently, the country has 12,091 COVID-19 cases, 2,460 recoveries, and 806 deaths.