By Civ Alonzo-Cruz
The Malacañang Palace and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) asked the public to observe standard health protocols given by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) during Misa de Gallo or Simbang Gabi amid the detection of confirmed Omicron cases in the country on Wednesday, December 15.
Acting Presidential Spokesperson Secretary Karlo Nograles advised churchgoers to observe and follow all the public health standards due to the threat of the Omicron variant. He added that unvaccinated individuals should attend virtual mass instead to prevent being exposed to the virus.
“Bukas, Dec. 16, ay simula na ang Simbang Gabi. Ituloy po natin i-observe ang minimum public health standards. Mag-mask po, maghugas [ng mga kamay], at iwas pa rin po tayo, lalo na at nandiyan pa rin ‘yung banta ng Omicron variant,” Nograles said.
“Sa mga hindi pa bakunado, mas mainam po na mag-attend na lang po ng online o virtual Simbang Gabi,” he added.
Meanwhile, the CBCP said that dioceses all over the country are ready for the influx of attendees of the nine-day Misa de Gallo, amid the threat of the Omicron variant.
CBCP Public Affairs Committee Executive Secretary Father Jerome Secillano explained in a radio interview that the dioceses nationwide adjust their protocols, in accordance with the IATF guidelines, depending on the frequency of the masses during the Simbang Gabi.
“Ang Simbahan din naman ay sumusunod, ini-implement ang mga panuntunan kaya mas maganda sa mga churchgoers, parishioners, at sa mga Pilipino na sundin naman ang panuntunan na itinakda ng IATF para walang gulo,” Secillano said.
Earlier, the IATF revealed that the country will remain under Alert Level 2 until the end of 2021. It gives way to establishments, such as churches, to operate up to 50% maximum capacity for fully inoculated attendees.
CBCP encouraged the public to have discipline when attending the Simbang Gabi so that the solemnity of the mass is observed and the celebration will not be a super spreader event of the virus.
“We’ll rely on the honesty also of the parishioners. Kasi kung dadagsa nga ‘yan kung iisa-isahin mo ‘yan, napakahaba ng pila. Kaya ‘yung disiplina talaga panawagan namin tsaka honesty para at least pagpasok natin ng simbahan ay may kaayusan at na ma-maintain natin ‘yung solemnity ng pagdiriwang,” Secillano said.
The nine-day Misa de Gallo starts on Dec. 16 and ends on the eve of Christmas Day. – bny
