San Juan limits cemetery visits to 2 hours

MANILA, Philippines — People who will visit cemeteries in San Juan will have to comply with the city government’s policy limiting their stay to two hours or face sanctions, Mayor Francis Zamora said yesterday.

He also vowed to strictly enforce health and safety protocols at cemeteries and columbaries.

The government has ordered the closure of all cemeteries from Oct. 29 to Nov. 4, the week surrounding All Saints’ and Souls’ Days, as mass gatherings are prohibited under community quarantine.

Zamora issued an executive order allowing people to go on scheduled visits to cemeteries in the city from Oct. 16 to 28 and Nov. 5 to 15.

San Juan police chief Col. Jaime Santos said violators could be issued ordinance violation receipts.

Visitors must also wear face masks and face shields. They will also undergo thermal scanning before they are allowed entry at the cemeteries and columbaries.