The central Philippine city of Cebu, once the country’s coronavirus epicenter, has stepped up compliance of health protocols as people flock to churches for the nine-day early morning Masses before Christmas Day.
Joel Garganera, deputy chief implementor of the Emergency Operations Center of the city, said his office has immediately coordinated with parishes and villages as photographs of churchgoers not following health protocols became viral on social media.
Garganera said parishes opened parking spaces and the city closed surrounding roads so that people can have more areas to gather to hear Mass.
Authorities focused its efforts on big churches in the city, like the historic Basilica Minore del Sto. Nino, the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, the Santo Tomas de Villanueva Parish in Pardo, among others.
“We can only do our best. Ultimately, it is really up to the people to protect themselves and their families,” said Garganera.
He said authorities could not apprehend people because they are ” sensitive to religious and cultural traditions.”
He said there are other precautionary measures that are being implemented to contain the expected surge of infections after the holidays.
Officials in Cebu have noted past surges following religious events, like the Holy Week and All Souls’ Day.
“We need to learn from these lessons,” said Garganera. “We can only appeal to everyone to safely spend Christmas.”
“If there is a surge which, we expect anyway, Cebu City will be in a better position to contain it. I am very confident in that regard, but then again it’s better to avoid it to happen,” he added.
Monsignor Joseph Tan, spokesperson of the Archdiocese of Cebu, said there has been a “substantial” turnout of people during the “Simbang Gabi.”
The priest said there were concerns on keeping health protocols, but these were immediately addressed with “proper coordination with agencies and parishes.”
“The turnout of people also manifests their thirst for a much-needed spirituality and intimacy with God especially during these unpredictable times,” Monsignor Tan said.
The Department of Health recorded a total of 11,069 new coronavirus cases in Cebu since the pandemic started, but the city remains as the top locality with the highest recorded deaths at 674.
Quezon City only came second with 661 although it has 38,114 total cases.
