The public was urged by the Department of Health (DOH) to wear face masks when going to cemeteries during the observance of “Undas” or All Saints’ Day next month.
Despite cemeteries being an open space, Covid-19 transmission is possible in such areas due to the large number of people, said DOH Officer-in-Charge Maria Rosario Vergeire.
“Kailangan po naka-mask tayo dyan kasi hindi po yan low-risk na setting dahil marami pong taong pupunta dyan magsisiksikan. Kailangan may proteksyon kayo (We have to wear masks because it's not a low-risk setting because a lot of people will go there. You need to have protection),” said Vergeire in a recent press briefing.
She also encouraged people to get boosted before going to cemeteries to increase their protection against the Covid-19 virus.
“Siguraduhin nyo rin po na natanggap nyo na yung first booster shot nyo kung kayo po ay pupunta po sa mga sementeryo para dalawin ang inyong mahal sa buhay (Make sure that you have received your first booster shot if you are going to the cemeteries to visit your loved ones),” said Vergeire.
Following the minimum public health standards and getting vaccinated can help prevent a potential super-spreader event of Covid-19 transmission during Undas, said Vergeire.
“In any event that there would be crowding, that there would be lots of people interacting especially katulad nitong Undas...ito po ay isang risk para po magkaroon ng super-spreader event (especially during Undas...there is risk for a superspreader event),” she said.
“Pero sa tingin ko, sa dalawang taon ng nakalilipas na tayo po ay nagkakaroon nitong Undas, alam na natin ang gagawin (But I think that in the past two years in observing Undas, we already know what to do),” she added.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. allowed the optional wearing of face masks in outdoor spaces nationwide last month.