It has been the tradition of some devotees to go barefoot when attending the Feast Day of the Black Nazarene every January 9.
This is particularly true for those who participate in the annual traslacion procession of the image.
Due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, Quiapo Church officials discouraged such practice this year.
"It is being discouraged for the meantime to prevent the spread of the virus," Father Douglas Badong, parochial vicar of Quiapo Church, said in an interview Thursday.
Quiapo Church Rector Monsignor Hernando Coronel also discouraged the devotees from going barefoot.
"They are not allowed to go barefoot. There is no andas (carriage) with the Nazareno image since there is no procession," he said.
Quiapo Church officials already announced that there will be no procession this year due to COVID-19.
Masses will be held instead from 4:30 a.m. until 12 midnight at Quiapo Church with limited number of participants.
Those attending the Masses are asked to wear facemasks, face shields and bring alcohol as a safety and health protocol.