Around 80 cops have been deployed in all cemeteries of Bacolod City for the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, Lt. Col. Ariel Pico, city police public information officer, said Friday, October 30.
Pico said that even if the cemeteries, memorial parks, and columbariums nationwide were closed from October 29 to November 4, policemen will continue to man the areas and to ensure it is closed.
Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia earlier issued an executive order imposing the closure of cemeteries, memorial parks, and columbariums in this city to avoid further transmission of the coronavirus disease, in compliance with the order of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases to stem the spread of COVID-19.
Operators of cemeteries, memorial parks, and columbariums in this city were also told to “implement strict measures in limiting the influx and crowding of people visiting in the days prior to and after the temporary closure days up to a maximum of 30 percent of the venue capacity, coupled with the strict compliance of health protocols, such as wearing of face mask and face shield and the observance of physical distancing.”*