BACOLOD City – Mayor Evelio Leonardia is appealing to the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) to reconsider restrictions on the conduct of religious gatherings.
In a letter addressed to Health secretary and IATF chairperson Francisco Duque, Leonardia said church leaders are begging to be allowed to hold Masses or worship services with expanded attendance of 50 percent of seating of the building’s seating capacity.
“They are all aware of the health risks in such gatherings but the need for spiritual nourishment and a connection to the Almighty at a time of crisis like this is also deep and overwhelming,” Leonardia added.
He assured that precautionary measures would be placed against coronavirus disease 2019 despite the city still being under the general community quarantine (GCQ).
“We will enforce mandatory wearing of face masks, marked seats in the pews for attendees to comply with social distancing rule; and disinfection of the venue and seats after each mass or worship service before the next one shall ensue,” Leonardia said.
He believes that allowing the faithful access their religious rites, services and sacraments – with careful precautions – may strengthen their mental and spiritual health.
Under the recent omnibus guidelines on the implementation of community quarantine in the country, the last day before the transition, religious gatherings in areas under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) would be highly restricted and limited to not more than five persons.
While religious activities are not encouraged in areas placed under GCQ, the IATF-EID authorized such activities, so long as the maximum number of participants is 10.
People engaged in religious activities must observe minimum health standards.
Public gatherings that are “unauthorized, non-work essential, or are entertainment-related” remain prohibited in places where MECQ and GCQ are implemented./PN
