Labella allows more churchgoers

CEBU, Philippines —  Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella has issued an executive order allowing churches to increase mass attendance starting today.

This after the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) has finally approved the request increasing the seating capacity of churchgoers to 10 percent of total capacity in the city.

The Executive Order 086-B that Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella had issued takes effect today as the city, which is currently under general community quarantine, slowly recovers from the coronavirus disease.

“Kini human mitugot ang IATF nga mamahimo na nga moabot sa 10 per cent sa total capacity sa matag simbahan ang makatambong sa misa,” said Labella via Facebook.

Labella had a meeting with church representatives right away, including pastoral guards, to discuss the details and safety protocols among churchgoers.

“The religious denominations should strictly observe minimum public health standards,” he said.

Wearing a facemask and social distancing are a must. Hygienic necessities on the premises are also advised.

Under the revised EO, while religious gatherings are now allowed up to 10 percent of the seating capacity or up to 10 people, whichever is higher, mass gathering is still strictly prohibited.

Visit to open air memorial parks and cemeteries is also allowed, but is limited only to a maximum of 10 people per group.

“The number of groups allowed at any given time shall be left to the discretion of the management of such memorial parks and cemeteries taking into consideration minimum public health standards and social distancing,” Labella added.

The Basilica Minore del Santo Nino de Cebu has also announced to the public that it will already resume its masses after it recently reopened the church to the public earlier this month. The shrine was closed to the public last month when some of its personnel got infected with COVID-19.

The Lourdes Shrine in Punta Princesa, for its part, has earlier gone the extra mile as it has issued QR codes for contact tracing, aside from the strict implementation of the health protocols inside the church.

Before going to the church, one has to register on a link the parish has provided. — GAN (FREEMAN)