Mass gatherings for religious activities still banned

MANILA, Philippines — Even as the government eased community quarantine restrictions, mass gatherings for religious purposes will still be banned to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) arrived at the decision during a meeting on Monday.

“It was included in the agenda. The decision was not to allow mass gatherings for religious purposes,” Roque told a press briefing.

The IATF-EID only allows a maximum of 10 persons in religious gatherings in areas under general community quarantine, and five persons in areas under modified enhanced community quarantine.

—Julie M. Aurelio and Dona Z. Pazzibugan