Sto. Nino de Tondo Feast sees fewer masses, strict social distancing

Fewer masses and strict social distancing measures were implemented during the Feast of the Sto. Niño in Tondo on Sunday, amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

According to Santo Niño de Tondo Parish spokesperson JR Susi, devotees were advised to just stay at home or tune in to the festivities via social media instead of exposing themselves to the pandemic.

"Inaanyayahan namin ang lahat na hanggat maari ay 'wag nang sumama o pumunta dito sa simbahan. Manatili sa kanilang parokya o mag-tune in sa Facebook live," he said in a report on GMA's "24 Oras Weekend."

Social distancing measures were strictly implemented, with devotees required to wear face masks and face shields at all times, on top of filling up contact tracing forms.

"Makikita naman po natin 'yung distansya nila, kahit po papasok sila nai-ho-hold natin sila. Talagang meron po kasi tayong police kaya marami po 'yung police natin. Sila mismo 'yung nag-[i-impose] sa distancing nila," said Police Lieutenant Colonel Magno Gallora Jr., station commander of the Manila Police District Station 2. — Jon Viktor Cabuenas/DVM, GMA News