No trick or treat: San Juan bars Halloween activities, shuts cemeteries for ‘Undas’ 2020

MANILA, Philippines —  No visitors will be allowed in San Juan City cemeteries and columbaries as Halloween celebrations – even trick or treat – will also be barred in the city for the “Undas” season this year.

Mayor Francis Zamora signed on Thursday morning Executive Order No. 49, directing the temporary closure of all cemeteries and columbaries, and prohibition of any Halloween activities in San Juan from October 30 to November 3 to prevent mass gathering, which may result in the transmission of the new coronavirus.

“Atin pong pinirmahan ngayong umaga ang Executive Order No. 49, Series of 2020 kung saan ay ating ipinag-uutos ang pansamantalang pagsara ng mga pribado at pampublikong mga sementeryo at columbaries at ang pagbabawal ng mga trick or treat at Halloween activities mula Oct. 30 hanggang Nov. 3, 2020 upang maiwasan ang mass gatherings na maaring magdulot ng paghahawaan sa COVID-19,” Zamora wrote on Twitter.

Atin pong pinirmahan ngayong umaga ang Executive Order No. 49, Series of 2020 kung saan ay ating ipinag-uutos ang pansamantalang pagsara ng mga pribado at pampublikong mga sementeryo at columbaries at ang pagbabawal ng mga trick or treat at halloween activities – cont – pic.twitter.com/rCNbMOLQfl

— Mayor Francis Zamora (@franciszamora30) September 10, 2020

Zamora’s executive order states that trick or treat and other Halloween celebrations are suspended in all places including “gated subdivisions, condominiums, parks, and malls.”

The San Juan City government’s move comes after Manila City and Mandaluyong City also passed measures that temporarily close cemeteries, memorial, parks, and columbaries during this year’s Undas in a bid to help prevent the further spread of SARS-CoV-2, the new coronavirus that causes respiratory illness COVID-19.

As of September 9, an additional 3,176 infections were reported bringing the nationwide COVID-19 tally to 245,513.

KGA