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MANILA - Physical distancing to keep Catholics safe from COVID-19 is a "big challenge" in re-opening the Quiapo Church in Manila, home to the Black Nazarene statue that draws millions of miracle-seekers in its yearly procession, a priest said Wednesday.

Before the lockdown of Metro Manila that shuttered places of worship, Quiapo Church was always packed even on weekdays, said its vicar Fr. Douglas Badong.

A government task force requires the public to keep a distance of at least 1 meter from other people to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

This meant that there should only be 3 people per pew and parishioners might have to attend Mass outside the church, guided by markings on the ground that indicate where they can stay, he said.

"Talagang matinding hamon para sa mga deboto ito... Sana nga biglang mawala ang virus, talagang ipagkaloob ng Nazareno," he told DZMM.

(This is a big challenge for devotees. We hope the virus will just disappear, that the Nazarene will grant us this.)

Bishop Broderick Pabillo, the apostolic administrator of Manila, said religious services are "essential" and urged the government to reconsider re-opening churches.

Malacañang announced on April 30 that religious gatherings would be allowed in areas under relaxed lockdowns -- only to reverse the policy the next day.

• Gov't bars Masses, gatherings anew in general quarantine areas

The Philippines, with its 100 million people, is the bastion of Roman Catholicism in Asia, with 8 in 10 people subscribing to the faith. Spanish colonizers brought the religion in the 1500s.

• In a Philippine lockdown, priests bring church to the community