Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño de Cebu reopens after Cebu City shifts to GCQ

CEBU CITY – The most prominent Catholic church here reopened its doors to the public after Cebu City shifted to a less stringent general community quarantine (GCQ) on Saturday, and after five of its employees recovered from the coronavirus disease.

In an advisory, priests of the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño de Cebu said the church compound will be open to pilgrims and devotees from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

“Public Masses will start on August 2, 2020 at the Pilgrim Center,” they said.

“Candle area will be open while veneration of the Sto. Niño image will be inside the church (in front of the marble chapel).

Confessions are still suspended. Adoration chapel remains closed,” they added.

Only 300 persons or 10 percent of the basilica’s capacity would be allowed to attend every Mass.

“We agreed that once the Mass starts, we would discourage people from entering the church once we reach the 10 percent capacity,” said Fr. Aladdin Luzon, OSA, the basilica’s spokesperson.

As mandated under the quarantine rules, those below 21 and above 60 will temporarily not be allowed to enter the premises of the basilica as they have to stay inside their homes to avoid getting infected with the virus.

Luzon said only one entrance—the gate near Magellan’s Cross—will be opened.

On entry, people must observe health protocols such as putting alcohol on their hands and submitting to a body temperature check.

Luzon said they would also set up three handwashing stations in the basilica.

/MUF