IATF allows 30% venue capacity for religious gatherings in GCQ areas

The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF), with the support of Metro Manila mayors, has allowed churches and other religious gatherings in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) to operate at up to 30 percent venue capacity.

This corrects an oversight in the official rules where GCQ capacity was still pegged at 10 percent, despite GCQ being less restrictive than the previous modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ).

Under MECQ, religious gatherings were limited to 10 percent capacity in NCR Plus, with an allowance for up to 30 percent if local government units permitted.

The IATF's decision was announced by Department of Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra.

The adjusted capacity rule applies to NCR Plus and other areas under heightened GCQ until May 31, 2021.