Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño de Cebu —BASILICA MINORE DEL STO. NIñO DE CEBU FACEBOOK PAGE
CEBU CITY – Religious gatherings up to 10 percent of the structure’s capacity will be allowed in the Queen City of the South starting August 9.
Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella on Saturday announced the development after the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases Visayas approved his request to allow more than 10 persons during every religious service.
“We now allow our churches to open for Masses from 10 people to 10 percent of the seating capacity,” he said.
Before the order came, only 10 persons were allowed to attend Masses even if Cebu City shifted to a less stringent general community quarantine (GCQ) last August 1.
Labella reminded people inside churches, mosques, and temples to observe the basic health protocols such as wearing face masks and/or face shields and physical distancing to contain the spread of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
The mayor met with stakeholders on Saturday to ensure the strict implementation of the protocols.
In an advisory, priests of the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño de Cebu said it will start holding public masses at its Pilgrim Center on Sunday.
As mandated under the quarantine rules, those below 21 years old and above 60 years old will 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.
A maximum of 350 persons are allowed to attend every Mass at the basilica.
“No quarantine pass, no entry,” the basilica priests said.
Live streamed masses, however, will continue through the basilica’s Facebook Page and YouTube channel.