All cemeteries in Metro Manila will be closed on October 29 to November 4, 2020, during the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day to prevent the further spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
This announcement was made on GMA’s Unang Balita on Monday. Parañaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez, the chairperson of the Metro Manila Council (MMC), said that Metro Manila mayors agreed on this moratorium during a meeting on Sunday.
“Ang pinagpulungan kahapon ay magkaroon ng uniform na policy sa darating na Undas. Iko-close ‘yung ating mga cemetery, public and private, mula po ng October 29 hanggang November 4,” Olivarez said.
However, in a separate interview on Dobol B sa News TV, Olivarez said this only prohibits visits. Burials and cremations will still be allowed.
Olivarez mentioned that this policy was pushed to encourage people living in the National Capital Region (NCR) to visit their departed loved ones before or after the observation of the holidays to avoid overcrowding in the cemeteries.
“Pagpunta po nila [sa sementeryo], atin pong paiiralin ang ating minimum health protocol. ‘Yung pagsusuot ng face mask at face shield, pati ‘yung [physical] distancing,” he added.
Olivarez said that policemen, marshals, and barangay officers will be visible in the cemeteries to monitor the situation and enforce health protocols.
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