CEBU CITY—To avoid mass gathering, Cebu City residents will be allowed to visit the 23 public and private cemeteries here starting Saturday, September 26, based on the schedules for every barangay.
Authorities advised the public to visit their departed loved ones ahead of the All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day as all cemeteries will be closed from October 30 to November 3.
In a meeting on Wednesday among the Philippine National Police, the Bureau of Fire Protection, Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and Prevention, Restoration, Order, Beautification and Enhancement (PROBE), it was agreed that cemetery visits will be regulated as a measure to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
“There will be a schedule and number of days for every barangay so that we can control the number of people visiting the cemeteries,” said City Councilor Dave Tumulak.
The selling of food, beverages, and alcoholic drinks in cemeteries is prohibited.
Raquel Arce, head of PROBE, said the selling of candles will be allowed but the vendors should not be minors.
Masses will be held in cemeteries but will be limited to a certain number of attendees.
The Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) on Wednesday started deploying its personnel in cemeteries.
"Our policemen will ensure that social distancing will be observed in cemeteries," said Police Col. Josefino Ligan, chief of CCPO.
Multi-agency help desks will be put up in cemeteries beginning on Saturday, Ligan said.
“We are still identifying the big public cemeteries so that we will be focusing on those areas and we will be deploying more people there,” he added.