The Benguet Inter-Agency Task Force is discouraging the singing of hymns during wakes and funerals and for attendees to limit their visit to 15 minutes only.
The provincial IATF said these restrictions would help mitigate the transmission of the Covid-19 virus in the province, which is under general community quarantine until Sept. 30.
Gov. Melchor Diclas said those in wakes or funerals could play recorded hymns in lieu of live singing.
Diclas also reminded the policy that limits to four days the wakes for non-Covid-19-related deaths in any of the 13 towns of the province.
Under the guidelines, the first day of wakes is limited to immediate family members only and the minimum public health standards should be observed all throughout.
In case of Covid-19-related death, the necrological services should be conducted after the completion of the 14 days isolation of the family members and close contacts.
The governor urged the mayors to order the police and the barangay peace keeping action teams to monitor wakes and funerals in their respective areas.
Also, post-mortem RT-PCR or antigen test shall be done to patients who died at home.
Diclas said weddings would still be allowed with a simple ceremony but without public gathering for celebration.
He also announced that market day schedules may be implemented depending on the decision of the municipal IATF while strict implementation of liquor ban will be implemented.
Religious gatherings shall be allowed up to 30 percent of the venue capacity.
Diclas said penalties shall also be imposed to those who violate the minimum public health standards and uncooperative individuals when it comes to contact tracing and admission.
Non-Benguet residents whether authorized persons outside of residence or non-APOR shall present a negative RT-PCR result or full vaccination card at the border checkpoints.
Benguet’s epidemic risk level remains at high risk with total active cases of 1,696 as of Sept. 16. – Ofelia C. Empian
July 27, 2024