As the threat of the Covid-19 virus still remains, an official of the Department of Health (DOH) urged devotees to strictly follow the health and safety protocols to prevent the activities related to the Feast of the Black Nazarene from becoming a coronavirus superspreader event.
"Any event na meron (with) mass gathering can be a superspreader event, it can be. Pero hindi naman ibig sabihin nun na talagang magiging superspreader (But that doesn't mean that it will really be a superspreader)," said DOH-National Capital Region Director Gloria Balboa in an interview.
“We are not saying na (that) it is really , it can be because of the crowding," she added.
Balboa commended the Quiapo Church officials as they have already set up the necessary safeguards to minimize the risk of virus transmission during the Feast of the Black Nazarene on Jan. 9.
"Na-in place lahat yung health protocols sa kanilang mga plano so it is a matter of implementing it at malaki ang role ng ating mga mamamayan, at lalo yung mga magjo-join sa celebration, na talagang sundin yung mga health protocols na sinasabi (All the health protocols are already in place so it is just a matter of implementing them. The role of our citizens, especially those who will join the celebration, is very important in terms of following the health protocols)," she said.
"Pero ayun nga, basta ma institute ang mga health protocols, magawa iyon, then chances are hindi siya magiging superspreader (As long as these health protocols are followed, then chances are this won't become a superspreader )," she added.
The Quiapo Church officials have organized different activities for the celebration of the annual feast such as the “Walk of Faith” procession on Jan. 8 and the “Pagpupugay” event on Jan. 7 to 9.
On Tuesday, Jan. 3, the organizers released the guidelines for the safe conduct of activities related to Nazareno 2023.
Devotees who will attend the activities were urged to strictly follow the health protocols such as wearing of face masks, observing physical distance, and bringing hand sanitizers, among others.
READ:
Quiapo Church issues guidelines for Nazareno 2023
Devotees ‘ready’ for changes in celebrating Feast of Black Nazarene 2023—prelate