Authorities close 2 Tondo streets to motorists ahead of Sto. Niño feast
Main roads leading to the Sto. Niño de Tondo Parish Church have been closed to motorists as of part enforcing health protocols against the further spread of COVID-19 during the observance of the Feast of the Child Jesus on Sunday in Manila's Tondo district.
Super Radyo dzBB tweeted on Saturday that Lakandula and Ilaya Streets, which lead to the popular Sto. Niño Church, have been closed to vehicles a day before the feast.
Lakandula at Ilaya St. sa Tondo, Maynila, isinara na rin sa mga motorista bilang paghahanda sa Pista ng Sto. Niño. | via @VargasMannysen pic.twitter.com/Xom3D0KRVA
— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) January 16, 2021
Earlier, the Department of Tourism tweeted pictures of pavements around the church stenciled with paint markers to prevent overcrowding the area during Masses with limited attendees inside.
LOOK: Photos taken on Jan. 14 show markers on the ground to remind people of physical distancing outside the Sto. Niño de Tondo Parish Church in Manila, which is celebrating its fiesta on Sunday, Jan. 17. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/iO2ZV4fzrX
— DTCAM (@DTCAM_) January 15, 2021
Overcrowded street parades and merry-making in the streets in observance of the popular Sto. Niño feast had been traditional highlights of the day during the pre-COVID years.
Elsewhere in Manila, officials of Barangay 826 in Pandacan tidy up their Sto. Niño statue and adorn its altar set up at the district's plaza in preparation for the Feast of the Child Jesus.
Like Manila's Tondo district, Pandacan will also celebrate its Patron's feast on Sunday. —with a report from Danny Pata/LBG, GMA News