MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang announced that all churches in NCR, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal shall be closed as these areas are currently under Enhanced Community Quarantine in order to stem the increasing cases due to COVID-19.
Catholics and devotees are urged to attend Holy Week mass and religious rites virtually through online streaming.
“No more religious gatherings. Full stop!” said Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque.
Many Churches like Diocese of Novaliches, Diocese of Cubao, San Agustin Church in Intramuros Manila also decided to enforce a lockdown on their churches.
“Voluntarily closing our places of worship at the highest point of our liturgical year is heartbreaking. But we also open our eyes to a situation that puts many of our faithful at risk. Numbers are surging and scientific data show that unless drastic interventions are done, these numbers will not decline anytime soon,” Cubao Bishop Rev. Honesto F. Ongtioco said.
Meanwhile, Antipolo City in Rizal also announced that their annual “Alay Lakad” and other Holy Week activities will be cancelled this year.
Covid-19 cases went up by 10,016 to 731,894 on Monday, March 29.
Source: Rappler, CNN Philippines, ABS-CBN News
Reporting by: Jonathan Perez