MASK ON. The Archdiocese of Manila will not impose mandatory wearing of face masks while attending Masses despite the rising number of new cases of Covid-19. But the Church said it will continue encourage churchgoers not to be complacent. (PNA file photo)
MANILA – The Archdiocese of Manila will not immediately impose a mandatory wearing of face masks while attending Mass inside the church amid the rising number of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases.
Father Reginald Malicdem, vicar general of the Manila Archdiocese, said there is no immediate plan to require churchgoers to wear face masks, but the Church will encourage them not to be complacent.
"There is no such plan yet. We will just continue to encourage mass goers to wear their face masks," he said in a telephone interview Thursday.
He also expressed optimism that despite the recorded spike in the number of new Covid-19 cases, people would still visit churches.
"As of now, we are not yet worried that the people will be discouraged from going to churches again," Malicdem added.
The Department of Health (DOH) has reported that the positivity rate of Covid-19 has been increasing.
Based on the latest Covid-19 Case Bulletin, the country posted an average of 341 cases daily from April 10 to 16.
This is 23 percent higher than the 278 cases per day reported from April 3 to 9. (PNA)
