THE SANTISIMO Rosario Parish held its first public celebration of the Mass last July 19 since the lockdown, but at only a tenth of the University chapel’s capacity.
Following the government’s protocol for religious activities in areas under general community quarantine, the church will admit only 100 persons per Mass, said Fr. Paul Reagan Talavera, the parish priest.
“The church capacity is 1,000 so under GCQ we are allowed 10%, which is 100. Seventy seats will be from the online pre-registration and 30 will be from walk-ins who are unable to pre-register,” Talavera said.
The parish required the faithful to fill out pre-registration forms as part of the health protocols amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
“It’s actually a contact-tracing form which is also limited to only 70 [people] per Mass, meaning when it reaches 70, you cannot click that particular Mass option anymore so it allows us to limit those who will attend the Mass,” Talavera said.
Sanitation of the whole Church will be conducted 30 minutes after every Mass. The airconditioner will be turned off and windows will be opened. Six-feet social distancing will be observed inside the church, Talavera said.
Parishioners are strictly required to wear masks, bring alcohol and pass through sanitation stations including a footbath, alcohol station and temperature camera, he said.
“We also have provided a waiting area during the sanitation process of the church. This is also an area to count and limit to 100 persons those who will attend the next mass schedule,” Talavera said.
Sunday Masses are held at 6:00, 7:30, 9:00 and 10:30 in the morning, 4:00 and 5:30 in the afternoon and 7:00 in the evening. With reports from Ma. Alena O. Castillo
