Private, public cemeteries to be closed from Oct. 29 to Nov. 3 in Calapan City

CITY OF CALAPAN –– Private and public cemeteries in this city will be closed from October 29 to November 3 to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) among those who will visit the departed around All Saints’ and All Souls’ days.

The city government is encouraging people to clean the tombs and honor their dead from September 15 to October 29, and November 4 onwards, the City Disaster and Risk Reduction Management, and the mayor’s office announced on Monday morning.

“All Saint’s Day every November 1 is one of our traditions. But because of our current situation brought about by the threat of COVID-19, we need to make some changes on how we conduct this tradition,” said Calapan City Mayor Arnan Panaligan.

With thousands of people usually flocking to the cemeteries on Nov. 1, it is impossible to implement “physical distancing,” especially that tombs are next to each other, Panaligan said.

“From the entrance of the cemetery gate, there would already be crowds. Like if a cemetery has 5,000 buried dead and say, for example, there are only two people who will visit the tomb on Nov. 1, that would mean 10,000 people will gather,” he said.

Guidelines in other cities to ensure safety from COVID-19 will also be followed.

After Nov. 3, people can visit the cemeteries anytime. The city will further issue guidelines, as needed.

LZB