The Philippine government on Friday announced that it has increased to 50 percent the allowed venue capacity for religious gatherings in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) starting February 15, Monday.

According to presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, the decision was approved by the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) during its meeting Thursday.

“Pinapayagan na sa mga lugar na nasa GCQ ang religious service na hanggang 50 percent ng seating o venue capacity,” Roque said in a press briefing.

At present, only 30% of the venue’s capacity is allowed in religious gatherings in areas under GCQ, which include Metro Manila.

Aside from Metro Manila, the areas under GCQ are the Cordillera Administrative Region, Batangas province, Tacloban City, Davao City, Davao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, and Iligan City. The rest of the country is under a modified GCQ.

The easing of restrictions comes before the start of the Lenten season on Ash Wednesday, February 17.