Manila North, South Cemeteries set COVID-19 health rules for Undas

The management of the Manila North and South Cemeteries released a set of rules for visits ahead of this year’s Undas.

According to Mariz Umali’s “24 Oras” report on Friday, children aged 12 and below will now be allowed to enter the cemetery premises as long as they are vaccinated against COVID-19.

Senior citizens, on the other hand, will also be permitted to enter the cemetery even though they are not vaccinated.

“Binibigyan na rin po namin ng konsiderasyon po ng mayora natin dahil minsan lang naman po sa isang taon. Mabigyan po ng tsansang dumalaw sa mga mahal nila sa buhay,” Manila South Cemetery OIC Manny Juan said.

(We are also giving people some leeway because this is only once a year. It gives them a chance to visit their loved ones.)

Millions of people are expected to visit the Manila North and South Cemetery from October 29 until November 2.

The management of the cemeteries advised visitors to wear face masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

“Kung tayo ay magdidikit dikit, ioobliga po namin na magsuot po muna ng face mask hanggat dikit dikit po tayo dito sa pagpasok at sa paglabas natin miski pagnandoon na rin po tayo sa loob,” Roselle Castañeda, Manila North Cemetery director, said.

(If there will be no social distancing, we will require face masks as long as there is no social distancing upon entering and exiting, even inside the cemetery.)

The Manila North and South Cemeteries will be open from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. starting October 29 to November 2.

Meanwhile, the last day for the cleaning of gravestones in the cemeteries will be on October 25.

“Sisikapin na namin matapos lahat lahat para wala na po kaming problema,” Maria Elena Trias, caretaker of Manila North Cemetery, said.
(We will try to finish everything so that we won't have any problems.)

Castañeda said they wanted to prevent accidents inside the cemetery.

“Malaki po yung chance na magkasunog dahil gumagamit po sila ng pintura at tiners, plus yung matutulis na bagay kasi ginagamit po nila yun sa pagpipintura at paglilinis,” she said.

Meanwhile, Leonila Cruz and her family visited her late husband's grave at the cemetery ahead of Undas.

“Death anniversary ng mister ko, 16 years na siya. Ngayon sa November 1 babalik pa kami,” Cruz said.

(It was my husband’s 16th death anniversary. We will come back on November 1.)

Prices of flowers and candles have increased ahead of Undas. The price of flowers increased from P5 to P80 depending on the class and style, while the price of candles also increase to almost P20.

“Mag-uundas po kaya tinaas nila. Para kami kumita kahit papaano, kahit konti maibalik yung puhunan konting tubo okay na,” Fely Suarez, a flower and candle vendor, said.

(For us to make money somehow, even if we can a small return from our investment, a little profit is okay.) — DVM, GMA News