Task force reminds police to make cemeteries comply with health protocols

October 15, 2020

The Joint Task Force COVID Shield on Thursday reminded police commanders to help local government units (LGUs) in ensuring all cemeteries, memorial parks and columbariums comply with quarantine rules as the early commemoration of the All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day starts.

Police Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, JTF commander, said wearing of face mask and face shield and physical distancing is a non-negotiable rule that must be implemented during the pre and post-observation of Undas.

“We leave it to the LGUs and the PNP to discuss the rules that would be implemented, but all the rules that would be crafted must be in consonance with what is prescribed by the IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of the Emerging Infectious Diseases),” Eleazar said.

“On the part of the PNP, the minimum health safety standard protocols are additional rules that should be implemented aside from the usual prohibitions like bringing of liquor and bladed weapons and other materials that would encourage mass gathering,” he added.

Based on the IATF guidelines, visitors in cemeteries, memorial parks and columbarium shall be limited to 30 percent of the venue's capacity.

Age restrictions will not apply to all visitors after the IATF guideline was approved on September 17 and will be in force until November 15.

The same guideline also orders closure of all cemeteries, memorial parks and columbarium from October 29 to November 4.

Eleazar said while there would be no age restrictions for those who would visit their departed loved ones, visitors should have no COVID-19 symptoms and they have no pre-existing condition that would make them more prone to coronavirus infection.

He said police commanders were ordered to set up assistance desks at the entrance of the cemeteries and columbaries to monitor the entry and exit of the people.

Eleazar said this is done to avoid cemeteries and columbaries from becoming overcrowded.

“We in the Joint Task Force COVID Shield respect the Filipino tradition of honoring their departed loved ones. But this should be done in a way that will not compromise the health safety of our countrymen,” said Eleazar.

“That is why early preparation is necessary in order to give the LGUs, the local police and other concerned agencies come up with the best plan that would serve as a middle ground between the effort of the government to protect the people from infection and respecting our Undas tradition,” he added.

Eleazar also appealed to the public to respect the rules and persons in authorities implementing them, and to exercise precaution in protecting their entire family from COVID-19.  Ella Dionisio/DMS