The Metro Manila Council (MMC) does not believe requiring its constituents to wear face masks is necessary just yet, amid rising cases of influenza-like illnesses in the country.

According to San Juan City Mayor and MMC President Francis Zamora, the capital region mayors have not tackled the issue, despite the approaching All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days or “Undas”—when crowds gather at cemeteries, reported RH 52 Edniel Parrosa.

Although the Department of Education (DepEd) previously declared a health break for students and teachers, Zamora claimed cases of fever, cough, and colds have remained relatively low in San Juan.

The mayor assured, however, that should the Department of Health (DOH) recommend it, he and other local government units (LGUs) are ready to implement the safeguard.

“Wala pa naman hong dahilan na magpatupad ng ganoong klaseng pagsusuot ng face mask. But again, I would like to clarify, if the national government will mandate LGUs to enforce such wearing of masks, then we will of course do that. Pero sa ngayon wala pa naman po,” he said.

In last year’s Undas, as much as 40,000 people flocked to the San Juan Cemetery, with 28,000 of these visiting on November 1.

From October 25 until November 1, the cemetery’s operating hours will be extended from 6 a.m. to 12 midnight.

Guns, sharp objects, alcohol, illegal drugs, noise-making devices, bicycles, motorcycles, and selling without a permit are all prohibited within cemetery premises.

The San Juan City Police’s bike patrollers will be making rounds in the cemetery.