Cemetery administrators to bar visits from children, seniors

Cemetery administrators over the weekend reminded the public that only those aged 15 to 65 are allowed inside cemeteries, in line with guidelines imposed by the inter-agency task force for the management of emerging infectious diseases (IATF-EID).

Manila South Cemetery administration director Raffy Mendez said that children, those older than 65, and those pregnant are not allowed inside the cemetery, and these visitors would be told to head back home should they insist on entering.

"Bawal din po ang buntis dito tsaka bata. Dito pa lang sa gate, hinaharang na natin at pinababalik na lang. Sa mga matatanda, bawal dito ang 65 pataas," he said in a report on GMA's "24 Oras Weekend" on Sunday.

Cemeteries are imposing strict health measures to curb the spread of COVID-19, such as the mandatory use of face masks and face shields, and physical distancing among individuals.

Earlier this month, the IATF-EID allowed persons aged 15 to 65 to go out of their homes as the government seeks to restart the economy and boost consumer spending amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Metro Manila Council chairman and Parañaque mayor Edwin Olivarez, cemeteries will only be allowed to fill up to 30% of their capacity before and after Undas this year, with all cemeteries in Metro Manila -- public and private -- closed from October 31 to November 3. — Jon Viktor Cabuenas/DVM, GMA News