Amid the rise of the new coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) variants in the country, cemeteries and columbaria in the City of Manila will remain closed to visitors during this year’s observance of “Undas.”
Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso signed Executive Order (EO) No. 33, ordering the closure of the Manila North Cemetery, Manila South Cemetery, Manila Muslim Cemetery, including other public and private memorial parks, burial grounds, and columbaria in the city starting on October 23 until November 3.
“Interment and cremation services for non-Covid 19 cases shall be allowed subject to the strict observance of minimum public health standards and social distancing,” the EO said.
“The Directors of the Manila Cemeteries, with the assistance of the Manila Police District, the Manila Health Department, the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, and the Department of Public Services are directed to ensure compliance and implementation of this Order,” it says.
Revocation of the cemeteries’ local permits will be enforced once they fail to comply with EO33, Moreno said.
In 2020, cemeteries and columbaria in the National Capital Region (NCR) were also closed during last year’s Undas. Ronald Espartinez