Manila Cemeteries Closed Oct. 31 to Nov. 3 for COVID Safety: Mayor Isko

The City of Manila will temporarily close all cemetries for four days from Oct. 31 to Nov. 3, to discourage mass gatherings during Filipinos' commemoration of Day of the Dead, Mayor Isko Moreno said Tuesday.

Moreno appealed for patience from those who were planning to visit their departed loved ones in the city's giant cemeteries on All Saints Day and All Souls Day.

The mayor's move signals how local government could handle the upcoming Day of the Dead, where millions are expected to throng the country's cemeteries.

Most of the country is under the lowest quarantine, MGCQ until Sept. 30 while Metro Manila is under the second lowest, GCQ. The classifications are up for review by Oct. 1.