Only 400 persons per Mass will be accommodated inside Quiapo Church in Manila on January 9, the Feast Day of the Black Nazarene.
Those unable to go in, however, may attend Mass outside the church.
"Only 400 devotees can be accommodated inside per Mass. There are 15 Masses, so (a) maximum (of) 6,000 will be accommodated," Alex Irasga of the Traslacion 2021 Technical Working Group.
"You can attend Mass along the streets of Quezon Boulevard, Carriedo, Carlos Palanca, Plaza Miranda, and Plaza San Juan but there will also be regulations. Markers will be placed to maintain social distancing," he added.
According to Irasga, there will be LED billboards on the streets in order for the faithful to still monitor the activities inside the church.
A LED billboard will also be placed in Villalobos St. where the line of people waiting to go inside the church is.
Irasga said devotees may also opt to attend Masses in other churches such as the Sta Cruz Church, San Sebastian Church or in their own communities as many parishes also have a replica of the Black Nazarene.
Church officials said those who want to go inside the church may start queing 30 minutes before the 4:30 a.m. Fiesta Mass of Archdiocese of Manila apostolic administrator Bishop Broderick Pabillo.
Masses will be held until 12 midnight and will be livestreamed on the Facebook page of Quiapo Church.
This early Quiapo church officials are appealing to the faithful for patience especially those who will be queing to go inside the church.
"It will be more difficult now since only a few can go in. So we appeal for patience," said Irasga.
Quiapo Church Rector Monsignor Hernando Coronel also appealed anew to devotees to just stay at home for their own safety and health amid the threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
"Pray inside your home. Stay at home. We already posted the different prayers for the family in our Facebook page," he said.
Quiapo Church already announced last year that there will be no traditional procession of the Black Nazarene on January 9 due to COVID..