Devotees pray outside closed churches despite ECQ in NCR Plus bubble

Several devotees defied the enhanced community quarantine and still visited churches on Maundy Thursday, according to Mariz Umali's report on “24 Oras.”

With the implementation of the ECQ in the National Capital Region Plus, mass gatherings, including religious activities, are prohibited until April 4.

Some of the faithful were invited to the police station as they were not authorized persons outside residence.

“Bawal po na lumabas po sila kaya mayroon po tayong online mass. Lalo’t ‘di pa APOR ang mga ‘yan,” Plaza Miranda Police Community Precinct supervisor Police Master Sergeant Jun Guinayen said.

(They are not allowed to go out, that is why we have online masses.)

Meanwhile, one of the devotees said she only wanted to pray outside the church because her son is sick.

“Ang pakay namin ay makapagdasal lang kami kahit sa gilid lang po. May sakit po ang anak ko,” she said.

(We just want to pray, even just outside the church because my son is sick.)

Several Catholics also visited the Manila Cathedral, Redemptorist Church, and San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish.

The government placed Metro Manila, Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, and Laguna under enhanced community quarantine from March 29 to April 4 in a bid to address the rising number of COVID-19 cases.

Minors, senior citizens, pregnant women, and those with immunodeficiency and co-morbidities will not be allowed to leave their households.

The curfew was also extended from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. — Ma. Angelica Garcia/BM, GMA News