Queues form outside Quiapo church on first Friday under COVID-19 Alert Level 2

Long queues formed outside the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila on the first Friday after Metro Manila was placed under a COVID-19 Alert Level 2.

Some senior devotees and parents said they were happy that they were able to attend Mass with their children after two years in lockdown, according to Ivan Mayrina’s “24 Oras” report on Friday.

“Two years na akong hindi nakapunta dito, natutuwa ako at maluwag na,nakasimba na ako muli dito,” said senior devotee Lolita Sagun.

(I have been unable to attend Mass here for two years. I'm glad to be here again.)

“Maganda po sa pakiramdam, magaan po sa dibdib kahit paano. Yung nararansan namin pandemic, lumuwag luwag po,” Bebiana Vacarro, another devotee, said.

(It's good to go outside even during a pandemic, we can relax for a while.)

Meanwhile, the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases also allowed children to leave their residences under Alert Level 2 amid the decreasing COVID-19 infections.

Parent Irene Sahagon supported the decision of the IATF saying the children also needed to go out after years in lockdown.

“Nagiging ignorante sila sa labas ng bahay kasi matagal po silang nakulong sa bahay na hindi po nakakalabas kailangan nagkakaroon din po sila ng exposure sa labas,” Sahagon said.

(They're no longer accustomed to being outside the house because they have been locked in for a long time unable to leave. They also need to be exposed to the outside.)

Asked if she was in favor of the IATF's decision, young girl Angel Panuelo said, “Opo, kasi sanay ako na laging nasa labas eh kasi doon yung libangan ko. Sana matapos na para free na ulit at makalabas kami ng kaibigan ko.”

(Yes, because I'm used to always being outside because that's how I used to spend my time. I hope this will be over for us to be free again so that my friend and I can go outside.)

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, however, warned the public of the possible increase of COVID-19 cases if the public failed to follow health protocols.

The Department of Health (DOH) on Friday logged 2,376 new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases, bringing the country’s active cases to 37,377. — Richa Noriega/DVM, GMA News