Major roads to and from Quiapo and Sta. Cruz churches in Manila will be closed beginning Saturday in anticipation of crowded devotees to still gather in connection with the Feast of the Black Nazarene despite the cancellation of the traditional Traslacion.
The Manila City government decided to cancel for the second straight year the traditional procession amid the continuing surge of COVID-19 active cases in the National Capital Region.
Roads to Sta. Cruz to be closed beginning at 10 p.m. include the McArthur Bridge, Ronquillo Street from Rizal Avenue to Plaza Sta. Cruz, Bustos Street from Plaza Sta Cruz to Rizal Avenue, Rizal Avenue from Carriedo (Plaza Lacson) to CM Recto Avenue, and Ongpin Street from T. Mapua to Plaza Sta. Cruz.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority in coordination with the Manila Police District and District Traffic Enforcement Unit will impose a traffic rerouting scheme.
Motorists from P. Burgos Avenue and Taft Avenue going to McArthur Bridge shall go straight to Jones Bridge to point of destination while those in the southbound lane of Rizal Avenue going to Ronquillo Street shall turn right to Fugoso Street, left to Severino Reyes Street right to C.M. Recto Avenue to point of destination
Motorists from Ongpin Street shall turn right to T Mapua Street to Dasmarinas Street to the point of destination.
Roads to Quiapo to be closed beginning at 8 p.m. Saturday are the north and south bound lane of Quezon Boulevard from A. Mendoza/Fugoso to Carlos Palanca Street, Quezon Bridge, C.M. Recto from Rizal Avenue to N. Reyes, Evangelista Street from Paterno Street to Recto Avenue, Westbound Lane Espana Boulevard from P. Campa to A. Mendoza, and C. Palanca Street from Plaza Lacson to Ayala Bridge.
All vehicles in Quezon Boulevard coming from A. Mendoza shall turn right to Fugoso Street, left to Severino Reyes Street to Recto Avenue to point of destination.
Those from Quezon City using the westbound lane of Espana Boulevard shall turn left to Nicanor Reyes Street (Morayta), turn left to C.M. Recto Avenue or turn right to P Campo Street, then left to A. Mendoza Street, to Fugoso Street to the point of destination.
All vehicles from Burgos Avenue and Taft Avenue going to Quezon Bridge shall go straight to Jones Bridge to the point of destination.
While those from the eastbound lane of C.M. Recto from Binondo Area shall turn left to Rizal Avenue, right to Remigio Street to Mendoza Street or go straight to Tayuman Street to the point of destination.
All vehicles from Ayala Bridge going to Palanca Street shall go straight to P. Casal Street to the point of destination.
More than 5,000 policemen will be deployed to Quiapo, Manila to ensure peace and order in the area.