MANDAUE and Lapu-Lapu Cities will now close their cemeteries, memorial parks and columbaria from October 29 to November 2, 2021 in accordance with guidelines set last week by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases for the observance of Undas/Kalag-Kalag.

Earlier, Cebu’s three tri-cities had said they would stick to the closure schedules they had already announced for their own cities before the IATF guidelines were released.

In Mandaue City, Mayor Jonas Cortes on Monday, October 25, 2021 issued Executive Order (EO) 35-A closing all private and public cemeteries, memorial parks and columbaria in the city from October 29 to November 2, 2021.

Under EO 35-A, only burial and cremation activities would be allowed in cemeteries and memorial parks during these dates, subject to the observance of minimum health standards.

The new EO amends EO 35, which had approved the closure of cemeteries, memorial parks and columbaria for a shorter period, or only from October 31 to November 2.

In Lapu-Lapu City, public information officer Mark Anthony Bautista said Tuesday, October 26, that the Lapu-Lapu City Government’s appeal to the IATF to keep cemeteries open on the 29th and the 30th, based on Mayor Junard Chan’s EO issued two weeks ago, had been denied.

“So technically, cemeteries will be closed on the 29th of October to November 2,” Bautista said.

Under Chan’s EO 2021-054 issued last October 12, all cemeteries, memorial parks and columbaria were to be closed also only from October 31 to November 2, 2021 to prevent mass gatherings that could cause coronavirus disease (Covid-19) transmission.

Michael Rama, acting mayor of Cebu City, has also appealed to the IATF to allow his Directive 10-14-01 to stand. But there is no word yet on the IATF’s response.

Rama’s directive keeps cemeteries and columbaria open even on All Saints’ Day (November 1) and All Souls’ Day (November 2) but only for fully vaccinated persons. (CTL, FVQ)