Cemeteries limited to 30% visitor capacity before, after Undas 2020

Cemeteries will only be allowed to fill up to 30 percent of their capacity for visitors before and after Undas 2020, Metro Manila Council (MMC) Chairman and Parañaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez has said.

According to Dano Tingcungco’s “24 Oras Weekend” report on Sunday, some Filipinos have been visiting their loved ones early ahead of the closure of all cemeteries in Metro Manila from October 29 to November 4.

The MMC said cemeteries would be limited to 30 percent capacity to avoid possible COVID-19 transmissions.

“‘Magkakaroon po tayo ng marshall po do’n kasama ng ating Philippine National Police,” Olivarez said.

“‘Yun pong madi-dislocate na mga vendors po natin… ia-arrange po ng bawat local government ‘yan na makapagtinda po sila do’n sa prior ng [October] 29 saka after ng November 4 para hindi po sila mawalan ng hanapbuhay,” he added.

Meanwhile, some vendors at the Manila South Cemetery said they agreed with the decision to close down cemeteries for Undas even though it would affect their income.

“Talagang kailangan eh para makaiwas tayo sa sakit,” a vendor said.

Manila South Cemetery said that there were more visitors on the weekends but vowed to enforce health protocols.

“Ngayon kumakapal siya ng Saturday at Sunday pero weekday wala naman. Monday to Friday, konti konti lang,” assistant administrative officer Raffy Mendez said. — Julia Mari Ornedo/DVM, GMA News