Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 17) — The Cebu Archdiocese announced on Tuesday the suspension of all of its religious activities to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease COVID-19.
Archbishop Jose Palma said in a press conference that Holy Masses, processions, and other religious activities will be canceled. This include activities in the upcoming Holy Week.
Instead, the Archdiocese of Cebu will utilize its social media and other digital channels to air masses. Palma mentioned that masses will still be celebrated inside churches but “without the presence of the congregation.”
“We ask of you for understanding because these are trying times,” Palma said, as he also urged the public to obey the government’s measures in fighting COVID-19.
Palma said the archdiocese’s churches will remain open for people who wish to say their prayers individually while some protocols will also be observed.
Dr. James Guardario, one of the archdiocese’s medical consultants, said the public should not touch images in churches and practice social distancing. No one should also use the holy water at the entrances of the church since it can be a source of transmission, he said.
The churches will also be sanitized regularly.
Dr. Brian Albert Lim, another consultant of the archdiocese who attended the press conference, suggested that people not bring their children in the churches.
Lim, a member of the Philippine Society of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, also asked the faithful to wash their hands before and after going to churches. He pointed out that the elderly should avoid going to the churches as they are susceptible to the disease.
The announcement of the Cebu Archdiocese came after Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia signed an executive order last weekend ordering the closure of its borders to combat COVID-19.
The executive order prohibited the entry of all travelers to Cebu, from all domestic airports and seaports starting March 17. International flights arriving in Cebu are restricted to countries with confirmed COVID-19 local transmissions.
There are still no confirmed COVID-19 cases in Cebu as of this writing.
The Philippines has tallied a total of 187 confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Tuesday, with 12 fatalities.
Cebu-based stringer Dale Israel contributed to this report.
