Quiapo church extends closure until January 26

A clear view of the Quiapo Church through Plaza Miranda. (File Photo by ED LUSTAN / INQUIRER.net)

MANILA, Philippines — The Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, Parish of St. John the Baptist, otherwise known as the Quiapo Church, will remain closed until Jan. 26 due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila.

In a statement on Facebook, Rev. Msgr. Hernando Coronel announced that the church will extend its closure from January 13 to 26 “as part of our efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19.”

“In this regard, organizational work and other church-related activities that cater to the public [are] suspended,” Coronel said in a statement.

Coronel, however, assured that Quiapo Church will continue to host daily online masses and devotions live on its official social media accounts.

A thorough disinfection and sanitation of the church’s offices and premises will also be conducted.

This year’s Feast of the Black Nazarene  or Traslacion was also suspended to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.

As of Thursday, the country has now reached 3,092,427 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 237,387 active cases of COVID-19.

JPV