Health Secretary Francisco Duque III pushed to ban masses and church services in all religious groups, and going to crowded places such as cinemas as written on the resolution earlier approved by the President to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

Duque said attending mass in church which are always crowded is like a “petri dish” for Covid-19.

Duque said everyone must also sacrifice not to enter movie houses.

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said the proposal of Duque will be considered by the Inter-Agency Task Force.

To contain the coronavirus, the health department has required social distancing or for people to have a one-meter distance when talking to each other.