THE Department of Health (DOH) has discouraged the “pahalik” (kissing) of the image of the Black Nazarene and other traditional religious activities for the upcoming Holy Week, saying they may result in spread of the virus that causes the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire reminded the public in a virtual press conference on Tuesday, April 5, 2022, that coronavirus is transmitted through droplets entering a person’s nose or mouth.
“Kung tayo ay hahalik sa isang poon na hinalikan paulit-ulit ng iba’t ibang tao, so ito po ay maaaring maging means of transmitting the virus,” she said.
(If we kiss an image that is being kissed repeatedly by other people, this may become means of transmitting the virus.)
“We just advise and we request our churches na maaari lang po sana itong practice na ito ay hindi na muna natin ipatupad. Meron naman po tayong mga iba pang bagay or ways kung paano po tayo makakapag show ng devotion sa ating mga santo sa atin pong mga pinupuntahang mga simbahan, pero sana po itong praktis na ito maiwasan para hindi na po tayo magkaroon ng pag taas ng kaso,” she added.
(We just advise and request our churches if they can disallow this practice for now. We have other ways to show devotion to our saints and churches, but hopefully, this practice will not be allowed to prevent an increase in Covid-19 cases.)
Vergeire said the DOH is also not recommending at all the traditional crucifixion (pagpapako sa krus), which may result in infection, tetanus and blood loss.
“We request and recommend ang advice po natin sa ating mga kababayan kung maiiwasan naman po maaari naman po na sumamba sa ibang paraan hindi po para mag inflict pa ng harm sa ating mga sarili,” she said.
(Our advice is if they can avoid, please avoid. They can show devotion through other ways, not just inflicting harm on themselves.)
Last week, Quiapo Church Parochial Vicar Fr. Douglas Badong said they have already allowed the pahalik, a tradition that was removed in the past two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Badong assured, however, that they always remind the devotees to follow the minimum public health standards when taking part in such activities.
Since Metro Manila is under Alert Level 1, the lowest quarantine status in the country, all sorts of protocols, such as those related to capacity and mobility, have been lifted, except for the MPHS, which includes the wearing of face mask, social distancing, and handwashing. (SunStar Philippines)