BY CHRISTINA HERMOSO
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Here’s good news for Christian faithful as churches in areas placed under the General Community Quarantine (GCQ) can accommodate more parishioners or fill at least 10 percent of their seating capacities starting Friday.
The Quiapo Church (Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene) in Manila, for instance, will allow around 200 people inside the church.
Quiapo Church rector Msgr. Hernando Coronel said the government’s decision to allow religious activities in GCQ areas ‘although with limitation’ was a welcome development.
“We only used to allow 10 people inside the church, now we will be able to accommodate around 200 parishioners. There will be someone seated in every pew. The faithful are happy with this development,” said Coronel in a statement posted at Manila Archdiocese website.
After getting the green light from the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, many churches have been conducting a dry run since July 5.
Msgr. Coronel said they will ensure that the safety protocols be observed at all times.
“We will implement strict social distancing, temperature checking, wearing of masks, and hand sanitizing. We will also be disinfecting the pews regularly and the equipment used during the online activities of the church,” he said. He added that there will be more church volunteers needed to assist in the new normal in the holding of religious gatherings.
