ILOILO – Under a modified general community quarantine (MGCQ), observing physical distancing becomes trickier, according to Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. Public events and gatherings such as fiestas that attract crowds are already allowed.
While the volume of participants or spectators is limited to only 50 percent of the venue’s total capacity, Defensor said this may still be huge. He will thus be coming out with additional guidelines on the holding of public events.
The goal, he said, is to prevent public events and gatherings from becoming transmission agents of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
“Our mayors know what to do and what is manageable para sa ila. But is there a possibility that we can issue additional guidelines? Yes. We have an evolving situation,” said Defensor.
The governor said some mayors informed him they were not keen on holding fiestas due to the difficulty of enforcing physical distancing.
Why is physical distancing important?
COVID-19 can spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth which are spread when a person with COVID-19 coughs or exhales.
These droplets also land on objects and surfaces around the person. Other people then catch COVID-19 by touching these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose or mouth.
In Defensor’s Executive Order No. 128 imposing MGCQ, the following public events and gatherings are allowed:
* local government unit events such as fiestas, socio-cultural activities, festivals, commemorative programs, inaugurations, and assemblies
* school / academic institution events
* conventions, seminars, workshops and general membership meetings
* birthday, anniversary, wedding and baptismal celebrations / receptions
* cultural / art / entertainment performances and exhibitions
* trade expositions and product promotions
* spectator sports activities, provided that only individual and group outdoor exercises, including non-contact sports, shall be allowed with minimum public health standards
* family gatherings involving non-members of the household
* funeral public viewing
* religious congregations
Defensor said in all these public events and gatherings, participation shall only be 50 percent of the venue’s total capacity to hold people.
In a related development, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) has allowed the gradual return of religious gathering in Western Visayas and other areas under MGCQ.
Under IATF Resolution No. 43 approved on June 3, 50-percent seating capacity is allowed in religious gatherings.
“Mabuting balita po sa mga gusto na talagang magpunta sa simbahan,” said Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque in a virtual press conference in Davao City. “Pwede na po magkaroon ng mass gatherings for religious purposes.”
In the government’s guidelines on the implementation of community quarantines, religious gatherings in modified enhanced community quarantine areas are restricted to five people./PN
