ILOILO CITY—With the rising number of local cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the local government of this city will not be allowing visits to cemeteries for the upcoming All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.
Mayor Jerry Treñas issued an executive order that will ban people from both public and private cemeteries for the annual ritual of visiting the resting places of departed family or friends.
Treñas followed suit after mayors in Metro Manila and Cebu earlier announced the closure of cemeteries for November 1 and 2.
Similar to other mayors who already decided to ban the public from cemeteries, the decision of Treñas emanated from Republic Act No. 11469 or Bayanihan to Heal as One Act. Under the law, local governments can implement policies to address concerns caused by COVID-19.
Aside from cemeteries, the ban also covers visits to columbariums where ashes of the cremated are kept.
Meanwhile, Treñas clarified that the ban may be lifted prior to November 1 if the city will no longer have any local COVID-19 case.
To recall, locally transmitted COVID-19 cases surged last August and majority were traced to a major fish port and a call center.