Moldovan health ministry recommends abstaining from services in cemeteries on Easter of Departed

Chisinau, 6 May /MOLDPRES/ - The Health, Labour and Social Protection Ministry (MPMPS) has urged the residents to abstain from participating in memory religious services in cemeteries on the Easter of the Departed, as the risk of infection with the new-type coronavirus is imminent.    

Under the last Decision by the National Extraordinary Public Health Commission (CNESP) from 29 April 2021, the emergency state in the public health sector is established at the level of administrative and territorial unit according to the alert degree, set depending on the incidence indicator of COVID-19. The Red Code (emergency state) will be established, if the indicator has been higher than 100 cases per 100,000 residents in the last 14 days.     

The public health measures will be determined in accordance with the degree of alert in the administrative territory managed. Thus, in the settlements where the Red Code of alert in public health was established, religious events are banned, including the organization of memory religious services in cemeteries, except for the religious services dealing with burials, Christening and Wedding, by observing the protection measures and with the presence of not more than ten people inside the church.   

If the Yellow or Orange Code of alert is established, the following measures of prevention and control of the COVID-19 infection will be observed in cemeteries: informing the Church representatives and visitors about the measures of preventing the COVID-19, organizing the flow of visitors, banning the consumption of food and drinks, wearing protection masks. Also, to avoid agglomerations of people, not more than three persons will be allowed at one grave, with the maintenance of the physical distance of at least one metre and observing the etiquette of cough and sneeze, hands’ hygiene.

In the last days, more local public health commissions of Moldova allowed access to cemeteries on the Easter of the Departed, but with wearing masks, observing the social distance, avoiding agglomeration and banning the nourishment and drinking beverages in cemeteries.   

Also, Metropolitan of Chisinau and All Moldova, Most Right Reverend Vladimir sent a letter to the Chisinau general mayor, Ion Ceban, thereby asking the municipal authorities to allow the organization of the Easter of the Departed in the cemeteries from Chisinau.   

Traditionally, the Easter of the Departed is marked on the first Monday after the Sunday of St. Apostle Thomas, one week following the Orthodox Easter. The holiday is held during more days starting from Saturday in larger rural settlements and in the cities where there are more cemeteries. This year, the Orthodox Christians will mark the Easter of the Departed on 9 and 10 May. As usual, on these days, people go to cemeteries, where they give alms for the souls of the departed.   

photo: libertateapentrufemei.ro