San Juan City will implement scheduled cemetery visits from October 16 to 28 and from November 5 to 15.

All public and private burial grounds are closed to the public nationwide from October 29 to November 4 to avoid mass gathering that may result in the spread of the coronavirus infections. However, burial and cremation services will continue.   

“I know how important it is for the Filipino families to visit, offer flowers and prayers to their departed loved ones in the cemeteries during All Souls’ Day, it is just unfortunate that because of the pandemic, this tradition will be compromised this year,” Mayor Francis Zamora said Tuesday.

Zamora issued Executive Order FMZ-051 allowing regulated visits at 30 percent capacity of all  public and private cemeteries.  

“I just thought there has to be another way of letting the people pay homage to their loved ones within the season month without putting anyone at risk because of the virus,” he said.

“That is why I issued this EO designating certain dates that these facilities will be open for public but subject to prior reservation and registration that would ensure that the venue capacity being imposed by the IATF is complied with,” he added. 

Those visiting San Juan Public Cemetery can reserve their visitation slots online through www.picktime.com/sanjuancityundas2020. Visitors can also contact the San Juan Undas Hotlinem at 7728-9818.

“We will start accepting reservations on October 1,” Zamora said.

The visits which will start at 7 a.m. until 9 p.m. will be limited to two hours per batch. For  public memorial parks and cemeteries, each batch shall be limited to 270 visitors while only 30 visitors will be allowed per batch in private memorial parks and columbarium.

Zamora said multiple reservations are allowed but only two persons per family are allowed to visit at a given schedule. The reservation will be on a “first-come, first-served basis.”

There will be no age restrictions during cemetery visits.  Selling candles, flowers, food and drinks in the cemetery is strictly prohibited.

Minimum health protocols like physical distancing and wearing of face masks and face shields must be observed at all times.

In a separate order issued early this month, Zamora banned “trick or treat” and other Halloween activities, especially during All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day.

“Halloween activities are allowed to be conducted in the confines of one’s own home, provided that social distancing and other precautionary measures are complied with,” the order stated.