As Bangsamoro eases to modified GCQ, restrictions on gatherings are gradually lifted

COTABATO CITY—After more than two months of lockdown, restrictions on religious gatherings are gradually being lifted in the Bangsamoro as the region transitions further from General Community Quarantine to modified GCQ.

Grand Mufti Abu Huraira Udasan announced on Monday the new guidelines on congregational prayers in the mosques starting June 1 until June 15, reminding Muslims to strictly follow preventive measures to protect the community from COVID-19.

Under the guidelines drafted and approved by the Regional Darul Ifta in the Bangsamoro, worshippers who are not feeling well are still enjoined to perform their prayer at home.

According to the guidelines, mosques will be filled up to only 50 percent of their capacity during every prayer and physical distancing of at least one meter apart should be maintained among those who are allowed inside.

Under the new normal, entrances of the mosques will now have their alcohol or hand sanitizers while worshippers entering the mosques are required to wear proper face masks.

Only 20 minutes is allotted for the ordinary prayers and 30 minutes for the Jum’ah or Friday prayers. As soon as the prayer is over, everyone has to vacate the mosque to give way for its standard disinfection and sanitation.

Every worshipper is required also to bring their prayer mat.

Given the transition to modified general community quarantine, Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim reminded the public to observe the minimum health standards.

“While the quarantine protocols will be relaxed, we still have to be cautious and not let our guards down,” he said. “Let us protect our communities the way we protect ourselves and our families. The health standards we have now, such as frequent hand washing, maintaining physical distance and the wearing of face masks are for everyone’s safety; therefore, let us continue observing these,” he said.

Ebrahim also urged the public to limit their movement to essential travels or transactions.