Coronavirus: Cemeteries in Derry and Strabane to close to vehicles during COVID-19 emergency

Derry City and Strabane District Council said it was introducing the new restriction as part of its efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the city.

"From Sunday, there will be pedestrian ONLY access at all our Cemeteries.

"The Council has put these additional restrictions in place to protect the health and safety of staff, mourners and the wider public and allow us to implement social distancing within our cemeteries," a spokesperson said.

The council asked people to consider limiting visits to cemeteries during the pandemic.

"Whilst we understand that families want to visit the graves of loved ones, the volume of traffic within our cemeteries was causing us concern and was making social distancing difficult.

"We are continuing to work closely with the Churches and undertakers in relation to funeral planning and cemetery arrangements and appreciate your co-operation and understanding at this time," the spokesperson said.