No IATF decision yet on religious gatherings

There is no government decision yet on whether religious gatherings can resume amid the coronavirus pandemic, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said, adding that various religious groups have consulted on Tuesday with the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) via teleconferencing to give their suggestions.

“I think these are doable but, for now, there’s no decision yet,” Roque said in a press briefing. The issue might be included in the IATF’s agenda “maybe next week,” he said.

Church groups have been clamoring for the resumption of religious activities after government banned mass gatherings to curb the spread of COVID-19.

In recent days, the IATF has eased restrictions on churches, allowing a maximum of five people in religious activities in areas under modified enhanced community quarantine, and a maximum of 10 in areas under general community quarantine. —Julie M. Aurelio