Quiapo Church extends closure until January 26

The Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, also known as the Quiapo Church, will remain closed until January 26 due to the rising COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila.

Msgr. Hernando Coronel, rector and parish priest of Quiapo Church, announced that the church will extend its closure from January 13 to 26 as part of efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19.

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

Coronel, however, assured that they will continue to have the daily online masses and devotions streamed live on the church’s official social media accounts.

“During this 2-week closure, we will conduct a thorough disinfection and intensive sanitation of the church premises and offices,” he added.

The Quiapo Church earlier announced its closure from January 3 to 6, 2022, amid the increase in COVID-19 cases.

It also suspended the traditional Traslacion to prevent the transmission of the disease among the devotees.

Meanwhile, the Department of Health on Thursday reported another record-high 34,021 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the Philippines' case load to 3,092,409.

This is the highest number of cases reported since the pandemic began in the country in March 2020. The previous highest daily case count was 33,169 on January 10. -- Richa Noriega/BAP, GMA News