Religious gatherings are allowed up to 10 percent of the venue’s capacity under the less strict quarantine measures being implemented in the Philippine capital starting Monday, April 12.
Government spokesman Harry Roque, however, said local government units may increase the capacity of churches up to 30 percent.
Also allowed are gatherings for necrological services, wakes, interments, funerals, but only immediate family members are allowed to attend.
Bishop Honesto Ongtioco of Cubao said he is leaving it to priests in his diocese to decide whether to open churches even after the government allowed limited religious gatherings.
“The bishop of Cubao … has left it to the discretion of the parish priests of Cubao whether to already open their parish church in compliance with the directive of the local government or to postpone the opening of the church for face to face worship,” read a statement from the diocese.
The diocese said utmost consideration on the situation of the spread of infection and its mitigation has to be given careful thought.
For those who decide to open their parishes, the diocese said the usual minimum health protocols must be observed, including the 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew.
On Sunday, the government announced that COVID-19 lockdowns in the capital and four adjacent provinces will be eased from April 12.
The Philippines is battling one of the worst coronavirus outbreaks in Asia, with hospitals in the capital overwhelmed amid record daily infections, while authorities face delays in delivery of COVID-19 vaccines.
On Sunday, the Department of Health recorded 11,681 new COVID-19 cases and 201 more deaths, bringing the country’s tallies to 864,868 confirmed infections and 14,945 fatalities.
New cases have surge in recent weeks, surpassing 15,000 on April 2, most of those in the congested capital.
Last week, Duterte canceled a weekly televised address and a meeting with his coronavirus task force as some of his staff and security detail were found to be COVID-19 positive. – with a report from Reuters
