DAVAO CITY - The municipality of Sto. Tomas in Davao del Norte has ordered the closure of some private and all public cemeteries from October 30 to November 4. "We have mentioned about the closure of some private cemetery because it is located in front of a public cemetery and we seek its closure to control the people from coming in. It will serve as a choke point to avoid mass gathering," Mart Sambalud, Sto. Tomas information officer, told Philippine News Agency (PNA) on Tuesday. He said other private cemeteries in the town are still under construction and development phase so they are not included in the closure order. Sambalud said the recommendation was based on the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) resolution ordering the closure of private and public cemeteries on the said dates. "The public will be allowed to visit their loved ones before October 30 and November 5 onwards," he added. Sambalud added that children aged 15 years and below, pregnant women, people with symptoms of Covid-19, and Tomasinos with chronic diseases are not allowed to go to the cemeteries even when the cemeteries reopen. The town's Task Force Undas has allowed only 30 percent of the venue capacity will be allowed should they visit their loved ones before and after the closure, he said. "While inside the cemeteries, they are encouraged to observe social distancing. Visitors are required to wear face masks and face shields," Sambalud added. He said based on the IATF-EID guidelines, carrying knives and other sharp objects, liquor, and other unnecessary items inside the cemetery are strictly prohibited. Meanwhile, Mayor Ernesto Evangelista has also instructed the police and other members of Task Force Undas to set up help desks in the cemeteries to help the Tomasinos who will visit their loved ones. (PNA) }