Ang gobyerno ng bansa ay nagpasa ng resolusyon na naglalayon ng pagsasara ng pribado at pampublikong sementeryo at columbarium sa panahon ng undas, mula Oktubre 29 hanggang Nobyemre 4 upang maiwasan ang pagdagsa ng mga tao dahil parin sa banta ng coronavirus.
Ang The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF-MEID) ang nag filed Resolution No. 71, na naglalayong maiwasan ang publiko sa pagdiriwang ng All Souls’ at All Saints’ Day na isang tradisyunal na holiday.
Ayon dito, “All private and public cemeteries and memorial parks, including columbariums and the like, throughout the country shall be closed to visitors from Oct. 29 to Nov. 4,” the IATF-MEID wrote in the order which are signed by Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Norgrales.
“Provided, that, the Omnibus Guidelines on the Implementation of Community Quarantine shall continue to govern burial and cremation activities during the said period,” the IATF-MEID further said in the resolution.
The task force also plans to lift the age limitations for the visits in both public and private cemeteries, as well as columbariums, which are allowed from September 15 to November 15.
Still, the IATF-MEID issued protocols for visitors who plan to observe the annual tradition before the prohibited dates. The number of visitors allowed will be limited at a maximum of 30% of venue capacity and shall comply with the minimum health measures.
“The number of visitors shall be limited… with the wearing of face masks and face shields and the observance of social distancing,” the IATF disclosed.
