PNP: Wakes in Luzon limited to immediate kin during quarantine period

MANILA, Philippines — Only the immediate family of the deceased, as well as priests or other ministers, will be allowed in wakes in Luzon while the enhanced community quarantine is being enforced, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said.

PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac said wakes are among the banned public gatherings during the month-long quarantine being imposed to present the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The quarantine ends at midnight April 13,

Banac said the restriction on the holding of wakes is based on the guidelines issued by the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases.

“Wala pong mangyayaring lamay. Mahigpit pong ipinagbabawal ngayon sa ilalim ng enhanced community quarantine ang pagkakaroon ng lamay (There will be no wakes. This is strictly prohibited under the enhanced community quarantine),” he said in the Laging Handa press briefing hosted by the Presidential Communications Operations Office on Sunday.

The national government earlier said funeral parlors are among the establishments offering “critical services” that will remain open during the quarantine period in Luzon.

The government has placed entire Luzon under an enhanced community quarantine following a spike in the number of confirmed COVID-19 positive cases. Under the rules of quarantine, strict home confinement in all households will be enforced, there is a suspension of transportation operations, and there is a heightened presence of uniformed personnel to enforce the quarantine.

A state of calamity was also earlier declared by President Rodrigo Duterte over the entire country.

/MUF