The Department of Health strongly advised devotees of the Black Nazarene to observe the following measures to avoid any untoward incidents during the yearly procession.

• Bring your own food and snack to the procession. Street foods that are exposed to dust particles and pollutants are unsanitary.
• Bring your own drinking water to prevent dehydration
• Do not bring along children to avoid injuries as a result of stampede and jostling. Small children and infants can easily get sick in crowded environments.

Health authorities said there will be standby emergency medical teams at the Quirino Grandstand near Museo Pambata; National Museum; Post Office/Liwasang Bonifacio; Metropolitan Theater area; Mercury Drug near Quiapo Church; CityState Hotel along Quezon Boulevard; 7-11 Quezon Blvd North Bound; UST Lerma; and Palanca Street near Ayala Bridge.

Likewise, all Metro Manila hospitals are in Code White Alert from January 8-10. The DOH Health Emergency Management Staff will continuously monitor the event and will be at the Quiapo Command Post coordinating with other agencies involved in the celebration.

Source: DOH Press Release