The Inter-agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases has backtracked and will now again ban mass gatherings in areas under the general community quarantine (GCQ).
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque made the following statement:
“Alinsunod po sa mga reklamo na natanggap… Nabago na po ang guidelines, bumalik tayo sa doon sa rules under ECQ (Following the complaints we received… we reverted to the ECQ guidelines),” he announced over state-run PTV-4.
“Bawal pa rin po ang work gatherings, bawal pa rin po ang pagtitipon for religious activities, maski po sa ilalim tayo ng GCQ (Work gatherings and religious activities are still not allowed even if we’re under the GCQ),” he added.
Various religious organizations in the country agreed to suspend all of their services to protect their congregations.
“Nakonsulta na po natin mula kahapon hanggang ngayon ang halos lahat po ng relihiyon: Ang mga Muslim, mga Kristiyano, Protestante, Iglesia Ni Cristo… Sang-ayon naman po sila na kinakailangan pangalagaan muna ang kalusugan ng mga nananampalataya (We’ve consulted almost all religions–the Muslims, Christians, Protestants, Iglesia Ni Cristo, and they agreed that we need to protect the safety of the people),” he said.
“Halos lahat po ng pananampalataya ay nasa Internet, ‘di naman kaya sa radyo, telebisyon, o ‘di naman kaya sa personal sa ating Panginoon (Almost all forms of faith are in the Internet or radio, or television. We can even personally connect with God),” he added.
Roque, meanwhile, advised religious organizations to make preparations so they will be ready and able to implement physical distancing once mass gatherings are allowed.
“Siguro po magkaroon din sila ng mga markers at tsaka paano yung pagpasok at paglabas. Yung pagpasok at paglabas po magkakaroon din ng pagtabi-tabi maski iwasan natin (Perhaps they should place markers and study how people are going to avoid brushing against each other when entering or exiting these holy places),” Roque said.
Source; Manila Bulletin
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