In preparation for the Feast of the Black Nazarene on Jan. 9, Quiapo Church in Manila will be temporarily closed to the public from Jan. 3 to 6 for disinfection.
Father Douglas Badong, Parochial Vicar of Quiapo Church, announced the temporary closure in a video posted on the church's Facebook page.
"Due to reports of sudden increase in COVID-19 cases in Manila, we thought of temporarily closing Quiapo Church from Jan. 3 to 6. This is the church's way of preventing the spread of COVID and to also give way for the cleaning and disinfection," he said.
"It will re-open on Jan. 7 in preparation for the Feast of the Black Nazarene. We ask for your understanding and cooperation," he added.
Although the church will be closed, Badong said Masses will continue to be available online.
"Masses will continue online. We encourage you to take part in the novena masses online," he said.
Badong urged devotees to take the opportunity to get vaccinated.
"We ask you to take this opportunity to be vaccinated and get your booster shot," he said.