By Fernan Angeles
THE week-long closure of cemeteries isn’t enough guarantee to keep the public from crowding as the traditional “Undas” draws closer, said the Metro Manila Council.
MMC president and incumbent Parañaque Mayor Edwin Olivares said that Metro Manila mayors will soon be drafting guidelines for those who may want to visit their dead loved ones prior to the closure of all memorial parks and columbarium nationwide during Undas season as a precaution against COVID-19.
Olivarez said security personnel and marshals would be deployed in cemeteries to augment police in implementing distancing rules as the virus threat remains.
Cemetery visitors are also advised to adhere to the 30-percent capacity imposed by the government.
“Magkakaroon tayo ng marshal kasama ang ating PNP para ipatutupad ang physical distancing at hindi po magkaroon ng gatherings, doon po sa sementeryo prior sa pagko-close ng ating sementeryo,” Olivarez said in a press briefing, Saturday.
Malacañang on Friday announced that cemeteries and columbariums all over the country would be closed from October 29 to November 4 or Undas season this year, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.
The annual tradition sees millions of Filipinos flocking to cemeteries to visit the graves of their departed loved ones. With the COVID-19 pandemic, the government has encouraged the public to go on cemetery visits before October 29.
Cemeteries in densely populated Metro Manila draw millions of visitors every year during Undas.
Metro Manila local governments have also agreed to allow flower vendors to operate near cemeteries prior to the closure, Olivarez said.