Council reiterates all cemeteries remain closed except for funerals

In a statement issued on Sunday, the Council said they understood how difficult it was for local people who wish to visit the final resting places of their loved ones, but that the NI government instructions remain in place as part of a raft of measures aimed at combating coronavirus.

In the statement, a Derry & Strabane Council spokesperson said: “The NI government instruction to all Councils in Northern Ireland to close all Cemeteries and burial grounds except for funerals are still in place.

“It states the following - ‘The Coronavirus Legislation (The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restriction) Regulations (NI) 2020 requires (at section 4) A person who is responsible for a crematorium or burial ground must ensure that, during the emergency period, the crematorium or burial ground is closed to members of the public, except for burials’.

“By keeping the Cemeteries closed we are complying with these regulations.

“We understand how difficult this is for the people but the decision to reopen is not Council’s to make and we would urge you to please adhere to the advice to Stay at Home and help to prevent the spread of this virus.”