MANILA, Philippines – To prevent mass gatherings that could trigger the spread of Covid-19, cemeteries in the country will be closed from Oct. 29 to Nov. 2, Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año announced on Tuesday night, Oct. 19.
It has become a tradition that millions of Filipino Catholics gather together in the cemeteries during All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day to offer prayers and flowers for their dead loved ones but this will be the second year that the cemeteries will be closed during All Saints’ and All Souls Days because of the pandemic.
People may still visit the graves of their loved ones before Oct. 29 or after Nov. 2. The cemeteries should limit visitors to 30% of their capacity and must follow minimum public health protocols.
Police desks are available to assist visitors in cemeteries, where minimum public health protocols will be implemented.