ANTIQUE – From Oct. 29 to Nov. 2, all cemeteries and columbaria in this province are closed.
Those wanting to visit the tombs of their dead relatives may do so before Oct. 29 or after Nov. 2, according to Executive Order (EO) No. 187-B released by the provincial government in line with the annual observance of All Saints’ Day (Nov. 1) and All Souls’ Day (Nov. 2).
These two days are traditionally marked by going to cemeteries and offering prayers, flowers and lighted candles to dead people.
Due to the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic (COVID-19), however, closing cemeteries is necessary so as to prevent mass gatherings that could potentially spread the disease.
On the days that visits are allowed, local authorities would be ensuring that at any given time the cemeteries should accommodate only 50 percent of their normal crowd capacity.
As of Oct. 6, Antique had 121 active COVID-19 cases, 5,637 cases that recovered, and 280 cases that died.
The active cases were in the towns of Hamtic (22), Anini-y (15), San Jose (15), Tobias Forner (10), Culasi (nine), Sibalom (eight), Bugasong (seven), Caluya (six), San Remigio (six), Libertad (five), Valderrama (five), Tibiao (three), Belison (two), Patnongon (two), and Laua-an (one).
“The Philippine National Police and barangay officials shall set up assistance desks near the entrance of cemeteries,” EO No. 187-B added./PN
