Assistance desks have been set up in cemeteries of Iloilo province’s local government units (LGUs) to ensure the observance of minimum public health standards during the remaining three days this week that visits to the departed are allowed.

In a phone interview on Tuesday, Iloilo Police Provincial Office Director Col. Gilbert Gorero said assistance desks were established with LGUs’ compliance teams, health officers, and barangay officials.

There are also volunteer groups and uniformed personnel roaming inside cemeteries to ensure that social distancing is observed.

“The assistance would always extend to whatever incidents that are beyond our control,” he said.

Cemeteries are closed from October 29 to November 2 to avoid the usual gatherings and large crowd on All Saints and All Souls Days.

Cemeteries here prohibit long stays, food, and karaoke.

Gorero added that while there are assistance desks to help in the monitoring, compliance with health standards is everyone’s responsibility.

“The challenge during this pandemic is how we sustain the social distancing. During our meeting with Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. and the League of Municipalities of the province, we agreed that there will be scheduling of visits so it would be easy to monitor the number of people,” he said.

Assistance desks will remain beyond November 2 as more visitors are expected. (PNA)