LEGAZPI CITY –– Like in many other localities in the country, public and private cemeteries in Sorsogon province and Legazpi City in Albay province will be closed during this year’s “undas,” or All Saints Day and All Souls Day, to avoid mass gathering and prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Sorsogon Governor Francis Joseph “Chiz” Escudero on Wednesday ordered the closure of all cemeteries from October 30 to November 3.
Undas, an annual Catholic observance to honor the dead and the saints by flocking to cemeteries to visit the graves of departed family members, relatives, and friends, is celebrated on November 1 and 2.
“The public is advised to instead visit their departed loved ones before or after the said dates while strictly maintaining social distancing and other safety protocols for the good of everyone,” Escudero said in an executive order.
He also directed the local governments in the province to clean all the public cemeteries.
In Legazpi City, Mayor Noel Rosal said only interment would be allowed in all cemeteries, memorial parks, and columbaries from October 30 to November 2.
Rosal said camping, picnics, drinking of liquor, and other converging activities are prohibited during this period.
He said the public could go to cemeteries from October 1 to 29 but would have to follow strict health protocols.
“The implementation of social distancing and the contact tracing would be difficult in crowded cemeteries,” he said.
ZB