Church leaders reminded the faithful to always follow health protocols when attending the traditional nine-day “Simbang Gabi” (literally: night Masses) starting December 16.
“We appeal to everyone to respect and follow the safety health protocols being implemented for churchgoers,” read a reminder from the Archdiocesan Shrine of Santo Niño-Tondo in Manila.
The faithful are reminded to wear a face mask and a face shield, to bring alcohol, and to have their body temperature checked before entering the church.
Authorities earlier said only those with ages between 18 and 65 will be allowed to attend Mass. Those with children in tow will not be allowed to enter churches.
Churchgoers are also asked to maintain a one-meter distance from each other while those who are sick are encouraged to stay at home and follow the live streaming of Masses on social media.
The traditional “Simbang Gabi” kicks off the Christmas season in the Philippines.
In urban areas such as Metro Manila, aside from the early morning Mass, they also have an anticipated Mass in the evening of December 15.
Health experts on Monday, December 14, noted an uptrend in the reproduction rate of COVID-19 cases in the national capital.
Dr. Guido David of the OCTA Research team warned that the number of cases will likely go up as the holiday season approaches.
The health expert said the reproduction number (R0) or the average number of people infected by one person in a susceptible population is “now at 1.06 and increasing.”
From 0.90 on December 1, Metro Manila’s reproduction number hit 0.94 on December 5, then reached 0.96 on December 10. On Dec. 11, the R0 in the region was at 0.99.
The reproduction number of 1.06 in the capital region was aligned with David’s projection last Saturday that it will breach the 1.0 mark.
The country’s COVID-19 tally moved closer to 450,000 on Sunday after the Department of Health announced 1,085 more people fell ill due to the virus.
The nationwide case count now stands at 449,400, of whom 21,980 or 4.9 percent are currently ill patients.
According to the case report, Quezon City recorded the highest rise with 103 new infections. This is followed by Rizal with 46, Makati City with 44, the City of Manila with 43, and Pasig City with 39.
The Health department, meanwhile, confirmed 9,269 more patients have recovered, with the number of survivors reaching 418,687.
Total fatalities are also now at 8,733 with three new deaths — the lowest daily rise since July 21.
