MANILA, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- Filipinos in this predominantly Catholic country will not be celebrating All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day, near the graves or ashes of their loved ones in cemeteries and columbarium again this year due to the pandemic.
Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said Wednesday that all cemeteries will be closed from Oct. 29 to Nov. 2 to prevent COVID-19 infection.
Año reported to President Rodrigo Duterte in a taped meeting aired in the wee hours of Wednesday the interagency coronavirus task force ordered the closure of "all private or public cemeteries and memorial parks, including columbarium" across the country during these dates.
Año said that people can visit the cemeteries and columbarium before and after these dates to avoid the crowd. However, only 30 percent of the capacity is allowed.
The task force strongly urged people to wear face coverings and observe the social distance when they visit.
The Philippines broke the yearly religious and cultural tradition for the first time last year as the country grappled with a steady increase in COVID-19 infection.
The Philippines now has more than 2.7 million confirmed COVID-19 cases, including nearly 41,000 deaths. The move to cancel the traditional festivities is to avoid further transmission.
In pre-pandemic years, millions of Filipinos flock to the cemeteries on Nov. 1 and 2 to offer prayers and flowers to relatives and friends who passed away.
People in the capital Manila usually take advantage of the holidays to visit their hometowns to reunite with family.
The tradition starts with cleaning the graves and grave markers by pulling weeds and repainting them days before All Saints' Day, a public holiday.
On All Saints' Day, a vigil is held, and prayers are said. Families set up tents and stay all day and night at the graves of their loved ones, picnicking with favorite Filipino foods such as chicken and pork adobo with rice.
Alcoholic drink is banned, but some sneak in a small bottle or two to offer to the dead. Some bring guitars for entertainment. Fast food kiosks are set up inside and outside the packed cemeteries lending a festive mood. Enditem
