‘PAGPUPUGAY’ | The Catholic faithful touch the feet of the Black Nazarene during the “Pagpupugay,” which replaces the traditional Pahalik as a precautionary measure against COVID-19, at the Manila Cathedral. (Photo by MARIANNE BERMUDEZ / Philippine Daily Inquirer)
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) is appealing to Black Nazarene devotees to think twice about joining this year’s festivities in Manila if they are not yet fully vaccinated, complete with booster shots, against COVID-19, and if they have flu-like symptoms.
The DOH also advised vulnerable individuals, such as the elderly and the immunocompromised, to just stay at home and view the religious services online.
“[DOH] still encourages [Black Nazarene devotees] to celebrate through ‘localized’ and online gatherings to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” the DOH said in a statement on Saturday.
Novena Masses are being livestreamed in the official Facebook page of Quiapo Church since the “traslacion” or grand procession traditionally held on Jan. 9 remained suspended this year to prevent COVID-19 outbreaks.
After participating in the events in Quiapo or at the Quirino Grandstand where the Nazarene icon will be open to pilgrims from Jan. 7 to midnight of Jan. 9, devotees are advised to “limit interaction” with vulnerable household members or self-isolate for at least seven days as a precautionary measure.
Those who suddenly developed symptoms should immediately see a health professional for proper medical attention, the DOH said. According to the estimates by Quiapo Church officials, around 6,200 people had already flocked to the grandstand and some 24,900 to Quiapo Church from midnight to late afternoon of Saturday.
In lieu of the longer traslacion, the first-ever ‘’Walk of Faith’’ will be held starting in the wee hours of Sunday and is expected to be over in just three hours.
To open the actual feast day, Jan. 9, which Malacañang has declared a special nonworking day in Manila, there will be a concelebrated midnight Mass at the grandstand with Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula presiding.
Some 300 volunteers from the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) were mobilized as first-aid and emergency responders for the Nazarene rites, particularly along the Walk of Faith route.
The PRC on Saturday said it would have four stations along the route, with 17 teams of foot patrollers serving as mobile first-aiders. Fire trucks and ambulance teams will also be positioned in strategic areas.
“A stampede and other incidents can happen in large crowds. We will prepare and deploy our volunteers, ambulance teams and Emergency Response Units to ensure the safety of participants in the Black Nazarene Feast,” said PRC chair and chief executive Richard Gordon.
The PRC advised devotees to download the First Aid-IFRC app in case of emergency or call its 143 hotline or 87902300.