The government will keep temporary tighter restrictions on religious gatherings in National Capital Region (NCR) Plus as a precaution against the spread of the coronavirus disease.

According to Presidential spokesman Harry Roque, churches could accommodate up to 10 percent of venue capacity in areas general community quarantine (GCQ) with "heightened restrictions."

After weeks of strict lockdown to stem the alarming surge in coronavirus cases, Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal have reverted to GCQ but with heightened restrictions until the end of the month to curb the virus spread.

"Noong huling nagpulong ang IATF tungkol dito, ang desisyon ay heightened GCQ (In the last meeting of the IATF on this matter, the decision is heightened GCQ)," Roque said during a televised press briefing.

"Kasi sa ordinaryong GCQ, 30 percent pupwede. Pero under the heightened GCQ at ito ay alinsunod sa polisiya na unti-unti natin buksan ang ating ekonomiya dahil hindi tayo sigurado sa extent ng prevalence ng mga bagong variants lalong-lalo na yung Indian variant, minabuti natin na hanggang 10 percent muna ang ating mga religious gatherings (Under an ordinary GCQ, 30 percent capacity is allowed. But under the heightened GCQ, -- and this is based on the policy of gradual reopening of the economy because we're uncertain about the extent or prevalence of the new variants especially the Indian variant -- we decided to limit the capacity of religious gatherings at 10 percent)," he said.

Roque assured the public that such restrictions in religious gatherings would be temporary.

"Huwag kayo mag-alala na ito ay panandalian lamang. Ito po ay intermediate between our transition from MECQ to GCQ so unti-unting pagbubukas lang po (Do not worry. This is just temporary. This is intermediate between our transition from MECQ to GCQ so it's gradual reopening),' he added.

The President has approved the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases to place NCR Plus under GCQ with "heightened restrictions" until May 31.

IATF Resolution No. 115-A stated that religious gatherings and gatherings for necrological services, wakes, inurnment, and funerals for those who died of causes other than COVID-19 shall be allowed up to 10% of the venue capacity in NCR Plus.

Prior to the GCQ shift, NCR Plus was placed on a modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) from April 12 to April 30. It was extended until May 14. Earlier, NCR Plus went through a two-week enhanced community quarantine from March 29 to April 11 to slow down the coronavirus transmission.