Metro Manila cemeteries closed from Oct. 29 to Nov. 4, 2020

All cemeteries in Metro Manila will be closed from October 29 to November 4 to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 during the observance of All Souls’ and All Saints’ Days.

Interviewed on Unang Balita on Monday, Parañaque mayor Edwin Olivarez, who chairs the Metro Manila Council (MMC), said the policy was agreed upon by mayors in the National Capital Region 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,” he said.

In a separate interview on Dobol B sa News TV, Olivarez said the policy on cemeteries does not include burials and cremations, only visits.

According to Olivarez, the mayors wanted to encourage Metro Manila residents to visit the tombs of their loved ones before or after the observation of the holidays to avoid overcrowding in 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 said.

Police personnel, marshals, and barangay officers will be present in the cemeteries to monitor the situation and enforce health protocols, Olivarez said. —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA News