Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 3) — Quiapo Church in Manila resumed its limited physical services and activities on Friday as its lockdown ended, a church official said Friday.
In compliance with the government’s guidelines, only 10 persons could attend each mass, while 50 devotees are permitted to go inside to pray or do other liturgical activities when there is no mass, Fr. Douglas Badong, parochial vicar of Quiapo Church told CNN Philippines. Badong said they also got the local government of Manila’s approval for phased reopening.
Authorities are limiting public gatherings to 10 people in areas under general community quarantine such as Metro Manila, to limit people’s risk of exposure to COVID-19 and curb the spread of the viral disease, pending a vaccine and cure.
Quiapo Church, also called the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, was placed on lockdown on June 19 after a visiting priest tested positive for COVID-19.
Badong said 80 people, including eight priests and 72 staff, went through the mandatory quarantine.
