Coronavirus: Filipinos ignore pandemic to attend Black Nazarene feast; more Japanese regions request emergency
- About 400,000 people flocked to Manila to celebrate the feast of the Black Nazarene, a statue that is believed to have healing powers
- Several Japanese prefectures have asked for a state of emergency declaration like the one issued to the Tokyo area to stem a surge in cases
An estimated 400,000 people have been through the city’s Quiapo district since 4am local time, Lieutenant Colonel Carlo Magno Manuel, spokesman for the Manila Police District, told reporters. Because of coronavirus restrictions, only 400 visitors at a time were allowed inside the church where the statue stands.
More than a million people have taken part in the annual pilgrimage over past years. On Saturday, most people appear to have heeded the advice of authorities and health experts, who urged devotees to stay home and attend mass online.
Authorities were quick to disperse the crowd of early morning visitors and ensure strict implementation of physical distancing, the Department of Health said in a statement.
The Philippines has the second-highest number of Covid-19 cases in Southeast Asia, at more than 485,000 as of Saturday.
The feast of the Black Nazarene is one of the country’s biggest annual security challenges as the faithful of Asia’s most Catholic country troop to the capital.
More Japanese regions request state of emergency
