PAGADIAN CITY—The provincial government of Zamboanga del Sur has lifted a ban on religious gatherings starting on Friday (Oct. 30).
Jeesrel Himang, provincial information officer, said, however, that crowds in religious services should fill only up to 30 percent of venues as recommended by the provincial Inter Agency Task Force (IATF) on COVID-19.
The provincial government ordered quarantine measures tightened for two weeks, starting last Oct.15, after health officials noted a spike in new COVID-19 cases.
Church services, like Masses, and other ceremonies that draw crowds were suspended during the period.
The lifting of the ban was timely as the faithful were expected to flock to churches to pray for their dead on Nov. 1 and 2 as cemeteries were ordered closed by the national government.
But Himang said the lifting of the ban on gatherings did not include cockfights, usually held on Sundays. Cockpits are still closed, he added.