By Fernan Angeles
MALACAÑANG has issued a directive declaring all local government units to see to it that all cemeteries – public and private – are closed from October 29 to November 4.
In a press briefing, Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said that in keeping public cemeteries, memorial parks and columbarium nationwide closed, the government in effect gets to prevent the spread of COVID during the Undas season.
Roque said the decision was made by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF), the country’s highest policy-making body on COVID response.
“Puwede naman po tayo dumalaw bago isara at matapos isara ang mga sementeryo,” he said at a news conference in Baguio City.
As if the one-week closure isn’t enough, Roque added that these places should implement a maximum capacity of 30 percent from September 17 to November 15. However, going to cemeteries no longer covers age restrictions.
Visitors must also observe the minimum health protocols such as wearing of face masks and face shields and social distancing.