Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque announced today May 1 that the government, after reviewing the earlier decision to resume religious and work gatherings in areas that will be placed under general community quarantine (GCQ), has decided to revert to the rules under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
GCQ is set to begin in certain provinces starting today.
[READ: General community quarantine, explained]
BREAKING: Work gatherings and religious activities will remain prohibited in areas under general community quarantine, Malacañang said Friday. | @KAguilarINQ https://t.co/1isLz8RRkY
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) May 1, 2020
“Nagbago ang guidelines, bumalik tayo doon sa rules under ECQ, bawal pa rin po ang work gatherings, at bawal pa rin po ang pagtitipon for religious activities maski sa ilalim ng GCQ,” Roque said.
This retraction followed complaints from local government officials yesterday, as some have expressed their concern that allowing church and work gatherings would “defeat the purpose” of stopping the spread of the virus.
The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases reviewed the guidelines and consulted with different religious groups on the matter.
Photo courtesy of Tomas Robertson on Unsplash
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