EOC: Vaccination status not required to enter cemeteries

The Cebu City government has reminded the public that cemeteries are open for the individuals, regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status, on Oct. 18 to Oct. 30, and from Nov. 3 to Nov. 5.

It issued the reminder amid a report that unvaccinated individuals have not been not allowed to enter cemeteries recently.

Councilor Joel Garganera, Emergency Operations Center (EOC) deputy chief implementer, reminded that per directive issued by Acting Mayor Michael Rama, it is only on Nov. 1 (All Saints’ Day) and Nov. 2 (All Souls’ Day) when only fully vaccinated individuals are allowed to enter and visit cemetery.

“It’s very clear sa katong gi-issue sa mayor nga (Nov.) 1 & 2 ang katong fully vaccinated. I think these are remote incidents na ingon ana, but it’s very clear, it’s only 1 & 2,” said Garganera.

“In fact, pwede sila makabisita before and after for non-vaccinated or partially vaccinated. But then again mo-apply gihapon ang atong oras, as well as ang atong capacity,” he added.

For the purpose of cemetery visitation, private and public cemeteries shall be opened only from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the mentioned dates.

Cebu City Police Office deputy director for operations, Police Lt. Colonel Wilbert Parilla, said that they will check on the said incident so that their personnel will be reminded of the schedule provided in the directive of the acting mayor.

“Ato nang i-check kay wala man sad ta ka-receive ana so ato nang i-check na karon kung asa siya nahitabo then we will remind our personnel on the specific guidelines nga 1 & 2 for the fully vaccinated,” said Parilla.

Under the rules in Cebu City, only five visitors will be allowed per grave at any given time. A monitoring and enforcement team will constantly check on the visitors’ compliance.

Meanwhile, Rama is still awaiting for the response of the Inter Agency Task Force (IATF) regarding his request, but said that they need to be prepared regardless of the decision.

He sent a letter to IATF requesting that Cebu City be allowed to open its cemeteries from October 29 to November 2, the exact dates DILG said the cemeteries should be closed to the public to avoid the risk of COVID-19 infections.

“Manira’g dili manira, we should be prepared,” said Rama.

NAGA

Meanwhile, the Naga City government will only allow 15 to 65 years old to go to the cemeteries on the days prior and after the All Saints and All Souls Day.

In a post to its Facebook page, the LGU said it will follow the mandate of the InterAgency Task Force (ITAF) to close cemeteries on October 29 to November 2, 2021.

“Kadto lamang nag-edad og 15-65 anyos ang makasulod sa mga sementeryo,” a portion of the post read.

The LGU urged those who will visit their departed loved ones to spend only one hour time in the cemeteries to give time to others and avoid overcrowding.

“Adunay waiting area nga mapasilongan sa dili pa makasulod sa sementeryo aron mapatuman ang carrying capacity sa bakante,” the post read further.