Filipinos across the country attend Simbang Gabi amid COVID-19 pandemic

Despite the threat of COVID-19, Filipinos across the country still trooped to their local churches as the annual Simbang Gabi began on Tuesday.

According to Darlene Cay’s report on “24 Oras” on Wednesday, at the Manila Cathedral, only 250 people were allowed inside the church as strict physical distancing measures were implemented amid the health crisis.

Several senior citizens, who are high-risk of COVID-19, also heard mass.

“Kasi may protocol naman tayo na malayo ang distansya at tsaka ingat na lang din,” Terry Sunga said.

Security forces were present at the Redemptorist Church in Baclaran to make sure that the minimum health standards are being observed.

The Shrine of Jesus and the Divine World put up acrylic barriers during the communion to prevent direct contact.

Severald devotees in Koronadal City, General Santos City, Ormoc in Leyte, Tagbilaran in Bohol, Ilagad in Isabela and Laoag in Ilocos Norte attended mass.

Filipino Catholics were required to wear face masks and face shields and underwent body temperature checks upon entry to the church.

For those who were not able to enter the church, markings were placed outside the Manila Cathedral and dispensers of hand sanitizer were placed all over the place of worship.

Staff members of the Manila Cathedral inside Intramuros, Manila stencil markers on the pavement for social distancing on Saturday, ahead of the start of the traditional Simbang Gabi. DANNY PATA

The Simbang Gabi will be held from Tuesday to December 23, while the Misa de Gallo (dawn masses) will start on Wednesday and end on December 24. -Ma. Angelica Garcia/MDM, GMA News