CEBU Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia approves mass gatherings that are essential for the provision of government services or authorized humanitarian activities in all quarantine levels.
The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases issued Resolution 38 on Friday, May 22, 2020, which specifies mass gathering activities that are allowed in all quarantine levels--enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ), general community quarantine (GCQ) and modified general community quarantine (MGCQ)--provided that these follow the minimum public health standards issued by the Department of Health.
"We will adopt it," Garcia told SunStar Cebu in a text message on Monday, May 25.
Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes, for his part, also supports the IATF directive.
Among the highlights of Resolution 38:
Religious gatherings are allowed provided these shall be limited to five persons in areas under MECQ, and limited to 10 persons for GCQ areas.
In areas under MGCQ, religious gatherings are allowed under the guidelines declared through subsequent issuances of the IATF.
There will be limited operations in malls and shopping centers for areas under MECQ and GCQ, but leisure establishments and services will continue to be closed.
However, persons below 21 years old and those 60 years old and above, those with immunodeficiency, comorbidity or other health risks and pregnant women may not enter malls and shopping centers "except when indispensable under the circumstances for obtaining essential goods, services, or work in establishments located therein."
Mass gatherings such as but not limited to movie screenings, concerts, sporting events and other entertainment activities, community assemblies and non-essential work gatherings will only be allowed in areas under MGCQ, provided that participants will be limited to 50 percent of the venue or seating capacity. (RTF, KFD)