All public and private memorial parks, cemeteries, and columbaries in the city of Manila will be temporarily closed from October 31 to November 3 following the signing of an executive order.

Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso on Monday signed Executive Order No. 38, ordering the temporary closure of the said facilities subject to General Community Quarantine (GCQ) guidelines during the "Undas" period.

He issued the order as the country continues to battle the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. As of Tuesday afternoon, there are 880 active COVID-19 cases in Manila, data from the city government showed.

Only interment and cremation services for non-COVID-19 cases will be allowed provided that minimum public health standards and social distancing will still be observed, according to the executive order.

In a live broadcast on Tuesday, Domagoso said Manila North Cemetery has 105,837 graves and is estimated to receive about 1.5 million visitors while Manila South Cemetery has 39,228 graves and is estimated to have 800,000 visitors on All Saints' and All Souls' Day on November 1 and 2.

The Manila mayor appealed for the public's understanding after issuing the order, saying that he did this for the safety of the city's residents amid the pandemic. As of Tuesday afternoon, there are 880 active COVID-19 cases in Manila, data from the city government showed.

“Patawarin niyo po ako kung sakaling masasaktan ko ang inyong damdamin na hindi makita ang inyong mga mahal sa buhay sa partikular na panahon na iyon (Forgive me in case I hurt your feelings that you will not be able to see your loved ones during that particular period),” he said.

“Kaya ko po ito ginagawa ngayon, para mabigyan kayo ng sapat na panahon ng humigit kumulang dalawang buwan na mabisita ang inyong mga mahal sa buhay na nahimilay sa mga pribado at pampublikong sementeryo (I am doing this now to give you enough time of more or less two months to visit your loved ones who were laid to rest at the city's public and private cemeteries),” he added.

But the local chief executive said that he would rescind his executive order should the national government change the prescribed public health protocols before then.

Domagoso directed the Manila Police District, the local government’s cemeteries, the Manila Health Department, the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, and the Department of Public Services to ensure the proper implementation of the order.