Visitors to cemeteries and memorial parks in Taguig are allowed to stay in the premises for up to two hours only under the guidelines issued by the city government.
The city government’s Taguig Safe City Task Force has issued Advisory No. 53 on the operation of cemeteries, memorial parks and columbaria this year.
Mayor Lino Cayetano signed Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Resolution 21-22, which bans visitors to cemeteries and other similar places from Oct. 29 to Nov. 2 due to the ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. People are allowed to visit the places before and after the ban.
Under the Safe City guidelines, starting Oct. 14, the number of visitors in all cemeteries, memorial parks and other similar places will be allowed up to a maximum of 30 percent venue capacity.
People are allowed to visit from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. but they can only stay for a maximum of two hours.
The schedule of visitors will be based on the first letter of the surname of their deceased. Letters “A” to “M” are allowed to visit from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. while those from “N” to “Z” can visit from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
“Private cemeteries and memorial parks are strongly encouraged to implement their own system of scheduling and appointment in order to avoid overcrowding and ensure easy monitoring of all their visitors,” according to the guidelines.
The task force, however, said burial and cremation services will be allowed during the period of ban on visitors.
Activities in public and private cemeteries, memorial parks and columbaria will be limited to lighting of candles and offering of flowers and prayers, it added.
Here are the other guidelines by the task force for cemetery visitors:
A. Minors, vaccinated senior citizens and vaccinated vulnerable individuals, including those with comorbidities, pre-existing health conditions, or pregnant women, shall be allowed to visit their deceased loved ones in all cemeteries and memorial parks in Taguig.
B. Unvaccinated vulnerable individuals are highly discouraged from going out of their homes to visit cemeteries or memorial parks in order to safeguard their health and safety.
C. All cemeteries and memorial parks must designated separate entrance and exit points
D. All visitors must fill up Health Declaration Forms prior to entry. The use of QR codes or other online-based applications are strongly encouraged
E. Temperature scanning must be done before entry. Visitors with a temperature above 37.50C should be denied entry and reported immediately to the COVID-19 hotline
F. Alcohol or Alcohol-based sanitizers must be readily available at the entrance and other strategic areas within the establishment
G. Face masks and face shields must be worn at all times
H. All visitors must strictly observe social distancing of at least 1 meter at all times
I. In accordance with the rules on General Community Quarantine (GCQ), gatherings of more than ten (10) individuals per group are strictly prohibited. until further amended
J. Smoking inside all cemeteries and memorial parks are strictly prohibited. and all Designated Smoking Areas shall remain closed
K. To ensure that the above mentioned protocols are followed and strictly enforced, all cemeteries and memorial parks must deploy static and roving Safety Protocol Patrol Officers to remind all their visitors
L. There shall be a designated Vendors' Area in all public and private cemeteries and memorial parks. Only vendors or sellers of flowers and candles shall be allowed, and the sale of other food and non-food products shall be strictly prohibited
M. All vendors or sellers must strictly observe basic health protocols, such as but not limited to the wearing of face masks and face shields, regular hand sanitation, and the observance of social distancing
“Any person in violation of these guidelines shall be penalized in accordance with Republic Act No. 11332, otherwise known as the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act in relation to Presidential Proclamation No. 922, Taguig City Ordinance No. 24, Series of 2020, otherwise known as the 'New Normal Ordinance of Taguig City' and other applicable laws and ordinances,” the task force added.