Story By: Juan Fenandez Mayes,  Sub-Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency:  Newsflash

Newsflash/Hospital Malaga

This is the moment masked medics host one of Spain’s most popular religious ceremonies in a hospital corridor after it was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The incident was filmed on 4th April in the Carlos Haya Hospital in the city of Malaga on Spain’s Costa del Sol in the southern region of Andalusia.

According to local media, the hospital workers were honouring one of Spain’s most important religious ceremonies known as the ‘Cofradia del Cautivo’ which takes place every year in Malaga.

The event should have taken place in the city today (Monday), but was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The video shows the moment staff members use hospital items to represent the religious objects normally on show during the procession.

Customary music plays in the background as the medical workers walk in unison.

A trolley decorated with a green sheet and a figure of Jesus on top, representing ‘El Senor de Malaga’ (The Lord of Malaga), is pushed along the corridor by masked medics.

Easter processions in Spain typically see residents walk on the street in organised groups from Palm Sunday on 5th April to Easter Sunday on the 12th.

People participating in the ceremonies carry altars, crosses and other religious paraphernalia in a display of veneration and faith.

The Iberian country has been one of the hardest-hit by COVID-19 and has remained in lockdown since 14th March after cancelling all major events across the country including the annual religious ceremonies.

According to the latest figures by Johns Hopkins University, Spain has reported 135,032 cases of the virus leading to 13,055 related deaths.

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