Palace: Outdoor exercises, religious gatherings up to 10% capacity allowed under MECQ

MANILA, Philippines — Individual outdoor exercise activities are allowed in areas under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) while religious gatherings are allowed up to 10%of a venue’s  capacity, Malacañang said Monday.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque, in explaining the difference between ECQ and MECQ, said outdoor walks, jogging, running, or biking are allowed as long as individuals stay within the general area of their residence.

During ECQ, outdoor exercise activities were only allowed from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. provided that individuals stayed within the vicinity of their residence or barangay.

Meanwhile, religious gatherings are allowed under MECQ at up to 10% of a venue’s capacity but local government units may increase the capacity up to 30%, Roque said.

Also allowed are gatherings for necrological services, wakes, interments, funerals, but only immediately family members are allowed to attend.

Gatherings of any other kind outside of residences and with persons outside of one’s immediate household remain prohibited, Roque said.

Metro Manila, Rizal, Bulacan, Cavite and Laguna, which is known as the “NCR Plus bubble” was placed under MECQ from Monday, April 12, until April 30.

As of Sunday, the Philippines has 864,868 COVID-19 cases, including 146,519 active cases, 703,404 recoveries, and 14,945 deaths.

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