Unvaxxed may not enter cemeteries on All Saints' Day, All Souls' Day in Cebu City

CEBU, Philippines —  Anticipating the influx of people, the Archdiocese of Cebu along with the representatives of public cemeteries have proposed to the Cebu City government that only vaccinated individuals be allowed inside cemeteries on All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.

Those who are unvaccinated and those who are yet to receive their second dose will be accommodated on other days.

Church representatives along with the city’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC), Quick Response Team’s Harold Alcontin, PROBE’s Raquel Arce, and the Cebu City Police Office met the other day to discuss the proposal.

EOC head, Councilor Joel Garganera, commended the initiative of the church in helping the city ensure that the upcoming observance will not impact the city’s COVID-19 negatively.

“The church is very cautious and very sensitive about it (COVID-19 situation)… They don’t want to be the cause of a surge,” Garganera said.

Garganera pointed out that some religious activities abroad that allowed mass gatherings caused a sudden surge of coronavirus cases.

Based on the proposal submitted to the EOC, cemeteries shall be opened on November 1 and 2 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. only for individuals who are fully vaccinated.

Those who are yet to receive the second dose of the vaccine and those who are unvaccinated may visit from October 28 to 31 and from November 3 to 5, still at the same time.

Overnight stay at cemeteries would still be prohibited.

The number of individuals allowed to enter shall not exceed the cemetery’s 50 percent capacity, thus, human traffic will be monitored strictly.

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases allows religious activities at 30 percent capacity of the venue, although local government units may allow up to 50 percent.

It was also proposed that minors below 15 years old will not be allowed entry into cemeteries and those 65 years old and above will be allowed to enter only if they are vaccinated.

The proposal will have to be approved by Acting Mayor Michael Rama.

The city government has been asking the church to help promote vaccination against COVID-19 on top of continued reminders on strict adherence to health protocols.

Councilor Dave Tumulak also said that drinking of alcoholic drinks and bladed weapons will be strictly prohibited at cemeteries on All Souls’ and All Saints’ Day.

Last year, cemeteries across the country were closed on All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day as a preventive measure against possible surges if people gather on these days.

With the rollout of vaccines against the coronavirus this year, vaccine bubbles have been proposed for different activities and establishments in the country, including in Cebu City. — Decemay Padill  JMO (FREEMAN)