Quiapo Church closed from January 3 to 6, 2022 —vicar

The Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, more commonly known as the Quiapo Church, will be closed from January 3 to 6, 2022, amid the increase in COVID-19 cases in the country.

In a video advisory posted on Facebook, Rev. Fr. Douglas Badong, the church's parochial vicar, urged devotees not to go to Quiapo Church on those three days.

"Mula January 3 hanggang January 6 ay hindi po muna natin pahihintulutan ang pagpasok sa loob ng simbahan ang mga deboto. Kung maari ay huwag na munang pumunta sa simbahan ng Quiapo," he said.

(From January 3 to 6, devotees will not be allowed to enter Quiapo Church. We appeal to devotees not to go to Quiapo Church on those dates.)

The church will reopen on January 7, Badong said.

The three-day closure of the church would pave the way for its disinfection ahead of the Feast of the Black Nazarene on January 9, the vicar said.

"Ito ay pakikiisa ng Simbahan para maiwasan ang paglaganap ng hawaan ng COVID at makapagbigay-daan po tayo para sa paglilinis, pagdi-disinfect ng simbahan at ng paligid nito bilang paghahanda na rin natin sa napakahalagang araw para sa ating mga deboto," he said.

(This is the Church's contribution in the efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 and also to give way to the cleanup and disinfection of the church and its surroundings in preparation for an important day for our devotees.)

The government has placed Metro Manila under Alert Level 3 from January 3 to 15, 2022 amid the increase in COVID-19 cases.

Under Alert Level 3, several establishments will be allowed to operate at 30% indoor venue capacity only for fully vaccinated individuals and 50% outdoor venue capacity, provided that all employees are fully vaccinated.

Face-to-face classes, contact sports, funfairs/perya, and casinos are among the activities and establishments that are prohibited under Alert Level 3. —KBK, GMA News