Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 21) — The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases is now allowing up to 30% venue capacity for religious gatherings in NCR Plus under the “heightened” general community quarantine until the end of May, a Cabinet member announced on Friday.
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, a member of the IATF, said the pandemic task force met with Metro Manila mayors, who expressed full support for the maximum indoor seating capacity in churches.
During the announcement of the heightened GCQ, the government initially said venue capacity for religious gatherings would remain limited to up to 10%.
Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal—collectively known as NCR Plus—are under the more relaxed quarantine status until May 31.
In an online briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the Metro Manila Council has approved this move.
He also clarified that provinces under GCQ with heightened restrictions “will be given discretion” to also boost attendance in religious gatherings based on a prescribed percentage of the venue capacity.
READ: NCR Plus eases to GCQ with ‘heightened restrictions’ starting May 15
