Sulu bans Eid’l Fitr public prayers

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — The holding of Eid’l Fitr group prayers and other public and private gatherings is not allowed in Sulu amid a spike in COVID-19 cases.

Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan Sr., chairman of the provincial task force against COVID-19, issued an executive order on Friday on the suspension of public prayers, following a meeting with religious leaders and concerned agencies.

“There is no guarantee of compliance with health protocols,” Abdulgapor Mangkabong Jr. of the Islamic religious group Jamaah Tabligh said, citing their practice of embracing one another during Eid’l Fitr gatherings.

Tan said taraweeh or night prayers during Ramadan shall be allowed to continue, provided physical distancing and wearing of face mask are observed.

Provincial health office chief Fahra Omar said Sulu logged 21 COVID-19 cases and five deaths in the past week.

Eid’l Fitr is expected to be held either on May 11 or 12, depending on the sighting of the new moon.

Meanwhile, in Pangasinan, San Carlos Mayor Julier Resulleo said stricter quarantine protocols would be imposed after the city recorded the highest number of COVID-19 cases in the province.

“This is not a lockdown as we are still under modified general community quarantine, but stricter measures will be imposed to curb the spread of COVID-19,” Resuello said.

The city recorded 97 active cases yesterday.

In Baguio City, health officer Rowena Galpo said the number of infected persons could increase with the opening of the city to more tourists.

Galpo said they are expecting more visitors, especially during summer months, with the opening of so-called tourist bubbles.

The city logged 73 cases on Friday.