Antique bans unvaccinated persons from cemeteries, memorial parks

The province of Antique will also prohibit unvaccinated individuals from entering cemeteries, memorial parks, columbaria, and similar places this upcoming Undas.

This, after Antique Governor Rhodora Cadiao issued Executive Order (EO) No. 288 series of 2022 last October 18 mandating guidelines for the observance of this year’s Fiesta Minatay.

Under the E.O., only fully or partially vaccinated individuals are allowed entry to private and public cemeteries, memorial parks, and columbaria in the province starting from October 29 until November 2 from 7:00 a.m. up to 7:00 p.m.

Aside from unvaccinated individuals, children below 5 years old shall also not be allowed to enter the cemeteries. Vaccination cards shall be presented before entry.

Full vaccination means the person received the second dose in a 2-dose series or a single-dose vaccine.

The EO also prohibits the following items and activities inside the premises of public and private cemeteries, memorial parks, and columbaria in the province from Oct. 29 until Nov. 2:

-Liquors and/or alcoholic beverages

-Firearms and any sharp objects (knife, cutter, bolo, etc)

-Videoke or any sound system that may cause loud sounds or disturbance

-Deck of cards, bingo cards, or any kind of gambling activities

-Overnight staying or staying beyond the prescribed time limit

Antiqueños who will be visiting the cemeteries during the Undas shall also be mandated to observe minimum public health standards such as wearing of face masks, hand hygiene, and practice of physical distancing.

Meanwhile, selling of flowers, candles, and other basic necessities such as water and food during the period will be designated by the municipal local government unit outside the premises of both public and private cemeteries.

Recently, the Iloilo City and Iloilo province have also guidelines in the observance of Fiesta Minatay prohibiting unvaccinated individuals from entering the cemeteries and only allowing fully vaccinated and partially vaccinated individuals inside the cemeteries amid the Covid-19 pandemic. (DG)