Push Admin

PH keeps restrictions on religious mass gatherings despite easing of lockdowns

Article (news)

Arianne Merez, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/news/05/14/20200514-covid19-quarantine-church-physical-distancing-cd-1-s.jpg"/><figcaption>Youth volunteers put marks reminding people to observe physical distancing at San Agustin Church in Manila. Czar Dancel, ABS-CBN News/file</figcaption></figure></div>MANILA- Religious mass gatherings will remain prohibited in the Philippines despite the easing of community quarantine restrictions across the country, Malacañang said Tuesday.The government&#x27;s pandemic task force has decided to continue to ban mass gatherings for religious purposes following a <a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/30/20/iatf-to-discuss-church-guidelines-under-gcq-with-religious-sector-lgus-justice-chief">consultation</a> with stakeholders, Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said.&quot;Nagkaroon po ng desisyon na hindi muna papayagan ang mass gatherings for religious purposes. I cannot say when mapapayagan po &#x27;yan pero titingnan po natin ang datos,&quot; he said in a Palace press briefing.(There was a decision to continue to prohibit mass gatherings for religious purposes. I cannot say when it will be allowed but we will check the data)Roque said officials would check the COVID-19 case doubling rate in different areas as well as the capacity of localities to provide critical healthcare in reviewing the ban on mass gatherings for religious purposes.The capital region transitioned on Monday to a general community quarantine from a modified enhanced community quarantine as the government sought to revive the economy that saw a contraction for the first time in 22 years.Other areas that transitioned to GCQ are Pangasinan province, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Central Visayas, Davao City, and Zamboanga City.The rest of the country meanwhile, shifted to a modified GCQ, the transition point to the &quot;new normal&quot; where community quarantine protocols would be fully lifted.Last month, Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo slammed as &quot;unreasonable&quot; government&#x27;s limitations on religious gatherings in terms of the number of persons allowed.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/17/20/manila-bishop-hits-religious-gatherings-limit-based-on-number-of-persons">Manila bishop hits religious gatherings&#x27; limit based on number of persons</a></li></ul>He said the government should have instead recommended 1 to 2 meters of physical distancing between individuals inside churches.Under the government&#x27;s guidelines on the implementation of community quarantines, religious gatherings in modified enhanced community quarantine areas are highly restricted to 5 people.In areas placed under general community quarantine, participants should not be more than 10 people.Minimum health standards such as physical distancing and the wearing of face masks are also required.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/16/20/read-latest-iatf-guidelines-on-implementation-of-coronavirus-quarantine-across-ph">READ: Latest IATF guidelines on implementation of coronavirus quarantine across PH</a></li></ul>

Religious mass gatherings will remain prohibited in the Philippines despite the easing of community quarantine restrictions across the country, Malacañang said Tuesday.

Religious mass gatherings will remain prohibited in the Philippines despite the easing of community quarantine restrictions across the country, Malacañang said Tuesday.

PH keeps restrictions on religious mass gatherings despite easing of lockdowns

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

News

PH keeps restrictions on religious mass gatherings despite easing of lockdowns

Arianne Merez,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 02, 2020 01:25 PM PHT

|

Updated June 02, 2020 02:01 PM PHT

Read More:

mass gathering

religious mass gathering

IATF

mass

new normal

coronavirus update

mass GCQ

mass MGCQ

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.