Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III has asked officials and employees of the Department of Labor who attended the Feast of the Black Nazarene in Manila, Saturday, to undergo home quarantine for a week.
DOLE Spokesman Rolly Francia said the Labor chief issued the directive to ensure that the department will not be penetrated by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
"Nag issue po siya memorandum na sila po ay inaatasan na mag-isolate o mag home quarantine sa loob isang linggo. (He issued a memorandum asking them to isolate or undergo home quarantine for a week)," he announced Monday.
"Ito ay upang matiyak na kung sakali man sila ay nahawa Covid doon sa traslacion sa Quiapo, hindi makaabot dito sa tanggapan ng DOLE (This is to ensure that, in the event that they were infected by COVID-19 in the Traslacion, it won't reach the halls of DOLE)," added Francia.
The Department of Health also recommended the same to all those who attended the Traslacion 2021.
Although health protocols were strictly implemented during the celebration, Father Douglas Badong, Quiapo Church parochial vicar sees nothing wrong with the recommendation.
"There is nothing wrong with the suggestion to do self quarantine for those who visited here. If that is their opinion as medical experts, we will respect that," he said in an interview.
"It would be good for them to be observant of their health and monitor possible symptoms in the coming days," added Badong.
Based on the estimates of Quiapo Church, around 300,000 devotees attended the different Masses at Quiapo Church, Sta. Cruz Church, San Sebastian Church and Nazarene Catholic School on Jan. 9.