Alren Beronio/ESTE News

Churches in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) will be allowed to accommodate more churchgoers, according to the latest Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases guidelines.

Palace and IATF spokesman Harry Roque made the announcement on Friday.

“The IATF (has) allowed religious gatherings in areas under [GCQ] up to 30 percent of the seating or venue capacity from the previous 10 percent,” he said in a statement.

The seating capacity allowance for churches in modified GCQ areas remained at 50 percent.

Manila earlier announced the easing of curfew hours to 12 mn to 3 a.m. starting December to accommodate “Simbang Gabi” attendees.

“Wala na po kasi tayong Undas, sarado ang ating mga sementeryo tapos marami na po tayong mga nakansela so siguro naman kahit papaano magkaroon naman tayo ng pagpatuloy ng ating mga Christmas traditions bagama’t 30 percent lang po ang ating magiging pupuwedeng Simbang Gabi,” Roque said in a Laging Handa briefing. John Ezekiel J. Hirro