HOME religious services are now allowed under the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ), the Malacañang said Saturday, May 16.
In a Laging Handa press briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said religious practices may now be performed at home.
“Puwede na rin po magbigay ng home religious services — mga pari, mga imam, mga rabbi at iba pang mga religious ministers provided mayroon pong proper health protocols gaya ng pagsuot ng mask at saka social distancing, temperature check at iba pa po,” Roque said.
(Those who offer home religious services will be allowed – priests, imams, rabbi, and other religious ministers – provided that they will exercise proper health protocols like wearing of face masks, practicing social distancing, and doing temperature check, etc.)
Under the omnibus guidelines released by the Inter-Agency Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID), religious gatherings limited to five people are allowed under the MECQ.
According to Roque, recruitment and placement agencies for overseas employment will be allowed to operate at 50 percent capacity.
He added that training establishments for firearms and ammunition may also resume under the strict regulation of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
“Employment activities ay naidagdag ang (are added like) recruitment and placement agencies for overseas employment under MECQ which allows 50 percent operational capacity,” Roque said.
“Kasama rin po sa (Also included in the) MECQ ang firearms and ammunition trading establishment subject to strict regulations of the Firearms and Explosives Office,” he added.
Roque said that the government will still prohibit leisure and entertainment-related events.
“Ang modified enhanced community quarantine at ito po ay umiiral ngayon sa Metro Manila. Ito ang transition phase, Metro Manila at saka sa Laguna po. Ito ay ang transition phase sa pagitan ng ECQ (enhanced community quarantine) at GCQ kung saan iyong temporary measures ay nag-relax,” Roque clarified.
“Katulad ng stringent limiting movements and transportation of people; strict regulation of operating industries; provision of food and essential services; at heightened presence of uniformed personnel,’ Roque said.
The spokesperson reminded the public to remain vigilant as the country eases the quarantine.
“Habang wala pa pong bakuna, habang wala pang gamot sa Covid-19, nandiyan pa rin po ang banta,” Roque said.
(As long as there is no cure, as long as there is cure for Covid-19, the threat still exists.)
The nationwide lockdown will last from May 16 to May 31.
As of Saturday, Metro Manila, Central Luzon (except Tarlac) and Laguna are under the MECQ, the cities of Cebu and Mandaue are under enhanced community quarantine, while the rest of the country is under general community quarantine. (Jove Moya/SunStar Philippines)