Quiapo Church. (File photo)
MANILA – The Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, also known as the Quiapo Church, reopened to devotees on Friday after a 14-day lockdown.
Fr. Douglas Badong, parochial vicar, said they started accepting the faithful on July 3, the first Friday of the month, after completing the mandatory quarantine.
Badong noted that the 14th day of their quarantine is still on Saturday but they sought permission from the Manila city government for them to reopen on Friday, Quiapo Day, which was approved.
“It should be July 4, but we asked Manila City Hall if they can allow us to reopen a day before since it is a Friday and they allowed us to reopen,” he said.
Badong also reported that their rapid testing for the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) has turned out negative.
“Our tests are negative. We also complied with the 14-day quarantine,” he said.
Meanwhile, Badong said the 10-persons-per-Mass policy stands.
“If there is a Mass, only 10 people are allowed inside the church and after the Mass, we allow people to enter and to pray but with a limit also,” he said.
Quiapo officials implemented a lockdown on June 19 after a priest who stayed in the church had tested positive for the virus upon returning to Mindanao.
The Quiapo Church has five masses scheduled at 5 a.m., 6 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 3 p.m., and 4 p.m. daily. (PNA)
