Restriction on religious gatherings eased

By Dolly Yasa

 

BACOLOD City – Restrictions on religious gatherings here was softened with seating capacity in places of worship increased to 30 percent from 10 percent.

This is contained in Executive Order No. 70 of Mayor Evelio Leonardia extending the General Community Quarantine (GCQ) status of the city from Nov 1-30, 2020.

The EO amended Section 16 of EO 63 on the matter of religious gatherings, which shall now be allowed at 30 percent seating capacity of venues.

The order also adopted Paragraph B of the National Interagency Task Force (IATF) Resolution No. 80, dated October 22, 2020.

Mass gatherings such as but not limited to, movie screenings, concerts, sporting events, and other entertainment activities, community assemblies, and non-essential work gatherings shall be prohibited.

On the other hand, gatherings that are for the provision of critical government services and authorized humanitarian activities while adhering to the prescribed minimum health standards shall be allowed.

Religious gatherings shall be limited to the conduct of religious worship and/or service.
It further said that religious denominations should strictly observe their submitted protocols and the minimum public health standards, particularly the social distancing measures and non-pharmaceutical interventions such as the obligatory wearing of face masks and immediate availability of hand hygiene necessities in the premises.

EO 70 also mandates that the three major markets in the city – Central, Burgos, and Libertad – will stay open on Sundays.

The regular disinfection and clean-up of these markets shall, however, continue to be undertaken during weekend nights after these markets have closed for the day.

As far as the curfew hours, EO 70 provided that during the extended GCQ, daily curfew hours shall continue to be observed from 10 pm to 4 am subject to other conditions already prescribed under EO 63.

Selling of liquor, wine, beer or any alcoholic or intoxicating beverage shall continue to be allowed only from 12 pm to 6 pm and consumption of alcoholic beverages only to be done within private residences, and subject to other conditions, as previously provided for under EO 63.