Manila will have until 25 October to clean and prepare its North and South cemeteries before they are opened to the public after being mothballed due to the pandemic.
Mayor Honey Lacuna, has urged residents to strictly follow the schedule since bringing in of tools will no longer be allowed during the observance of ‘Undas.’
Lacuna said Manila North Cemetery director Yayay Castaneda and South Cemetery head Jonathan Garzo have announced that interment or burials will be temporarily suspended from 28 October up to 2 November. They will resume on 3 November.
This, she said, is due to the expected volume of visitors expected during the said dates of suspension, specially at the MNC which is the biggest in the country.
However, the mayor said that cremation will still continue to be allowed but only for COVID cases.
The main gates of the said cemeteries will be open from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. starting 29 October up to 2 November.
The lady mayor said that kids aged 12 or younger will not be allowed into the cemeteries.
She discouraged the unvaccinated or those who have not completed their doses from going to the cemeteries from 29 October to 2 November when the influx of visitors is expected.
No vehicles of any kind will be allowed inside the cemeteries, along with all kinds of alcoholic drinks flammable materials, guns, sharp or pointed objects, playingCcards,Cbingo cards, or any gambling paraphernalia.
Lacuna also advised the visitors to bring their own food since no vendors will be allowed inside the two cemeteries.
“Bawal din ang videoke or sound system or kahit ano na magdudulot ng ingay dahil pupunta tayo dun sa sementeryo para dumalaw at hindi magparty-party,” she stressed.
Lacuna reminded that basic health protocols should be adhered to like wearing face mask, avoiding crowd, washing of hands etc.