By: Raydes Barcia
Legazpi City ––Bishop Joel “Bong” Z. Baylon of the diocese of Legazpi issued a directive to all clergies to prohibit 12 years old children and below from entering churches across the Albay province following the spiking cases of Covid-19 here.
The prelate also mandated the clergies to reduce the capacity of churches from 50 to 30 percent starting tomorrow here.
In a diocesan circular No. 2, series of 2022 issued by the prelate on Wednesday here, he directed the clergies, religious and lay faithful to implement the 30 percent church capacity and prohibits children from 12 years old to enter the church for precautionary measures.
The guidelines on church activities anew are the second diocesan circular issued by Baylon to thwart the spread of Covid-19 here.
“With the surge of Covid-19 cases due to the advent of the Omicron variant which has placed our province under alert level 3, we are updating our Diocesan Circular No. 22, Series of 2021 regarding the pastoral guidelines on the celebrations of the sacraments in the diocese,” he said.
In line with the new IATF protocols and with the recommendations of the board of consultors and the Diocesan Covid-19 Committee, the following are the updated guidelines on church Activities: Parishes must follow the 30% church capacity.
We shall also observe very limited church activities; children below 12 years old are not yet permitted inside the church.
Hence, there will be no celebration of First Communion for now. Rather, they are advised to stay at home and join online church celebrations.
Wake masses at homes and funeral parlors are not yet allowed. Priests instead can administer a blessing or short prayer for the dead. 4. No Mass Confirmations and Weddings until May 15, 2022 (cf. Diocesan Circular No. 22, Series of 2021).
Masses in malls and offices are allowed provided that the place is an open space or outdoor. However, there should be no Masses in small chapels and closed areas, he said.
While we have allowed the Saturday eucharist of the neo-catechumenal communities, we are however discouraging this at this time because of the ongoing surge of Covid-19 cases in the province.
No regular confession and anointing of the sick and the dying. As an alternative, priests and relatives of the sick can pray the Prayer for the Sick during this Pandemic.
Similarly, PEA chapels are not yet to be opened since they are closed and small spaces. Instead, the faithful are encouraged to pray and visit the big church.
Overnight youth formation activities like youth encounter and the like are not yet permitted. Face-to-face meetings in big groups are highly discouraged. They can be done online, the circular said.
“Needless to say, we are to strictly observe and remind our parishioners of the health protocols such as wearing of face masks at all times (including weddings and funerals), temperature checking before entrance to the church, hand sanitizing, and physical distancing,” the prelate said.
He also urged the parishes and the public to continue praying Oratio Imperata against Covid-19.
“We continue fervently praying the Oratio Imperata against Covid-19. May God, through the intercession of our Lady of Salvation, protect us and keep us safe,” Bishop Baylon said.
As of January 18, Albay has recorded a total of 7,255 cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic started in 2020. The province also recorded 6009 recoveries and 428 deaths.
Bicol Region was on Alert Level 3 from January 15 until 31, 2022. As of December 31, 2021, Bicol Region has a total of 822 local Variants of Concern (VOC) detected. Two are confirmed Omicron, 56 are Alpha, 127 are Beta, and 637 are Delta.
The DOH Bicol reiterates that these numbers are based on the specimens submitted to the Philippine Genome Center (PGC) and based on submitted samples, Delta remains the dominant variant in the region.
The DOH reported that the two Covid-19 referral hospitals in the region, such as the Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital (BRTTH), and the Bicol Medical Center (BMC), have expressed their concern over the increasing COVID-19 admissions.
BMC reported a rapid increase in its COVID-19 admission rate, and the increasing number of its health workers testing positive. While the BRTTH has closed its Out-Patient Department (OPD) starting January 12, 2022, and encourages the public to contact the BRTTH Telehealth Project for OPD consultation.
With the surge of COVID-19 cases, and the current alert level 3 status of the region, Bicol CHD urges the public to follow the health protocols such as wearing face masks properly, hand washing or hand sanitation, and social distancing, Dr. Ernie Vera, DOH Bicol director said.
Bicolanos are also urged to submit themselves for COVID-19 vaccination. “All COVID-19 vaccines are proven safe and effective against severe and critical forms of COVID-19 including death,” Vera said.