‘Cemeteries will reopen when legislation is relaxed’ says Mid and East Antrim authority as hundreds sign Councillor Andrew Clarke’s online petition to Stormont

The local authority has stressed that these will be reopened when regulations allow it to do so.

Cemeteries in Mid and East Antrim are now closed except for burials in response to the Coronavirus crisis.

A statement has been released following a meeting today (Tuesday) of the council’s group party leaders.

They said: “When the legislation regarding public access to cemeteries is relaxed at Executive level, our cemeteries will reopen with immediate effect.

“This decision was taken at today’s meeting of Group Party Leaders, and Council will ensure robust social distancing protocols are in place to protect residents and our staff when this happens.

“It was with deep regret that we had to close council cemeteries to members of the public, unless a burial was taking place, under emergency legislation.

“This is an extremely emotive and sensitive issue, and we sympathise with those currently unable to visit the resting places of loved ones, and understand the deep hurt this is causing.

“Currently, The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 do not permit the tending to or visiting of graves or memorials, until further notice.

“When this position changes, we will move to reopen our cemeteries, which we continue to maintain at this time.”

Stormont is coming under increasing pressure to review this emergency restriction.

Mid and East Antrim Coast Road DUP Councillor Andrew Clarke has urged the Executive to respond as quickly as possible and has launched an online petition urging Stormont to allow Northern Ireland’s cemeteries to be reopened. In just two days it had support from around 1,500 people.

Cllr Clarke said: “I believe our cemeteries should be open to visit the graves of loved ones.

“Many people have contacted me over the complete shutdown of our cemeteries. Their stories are heartbreaking.”

“Cemeteries are quiet, and social distancing occurs naturally. Opening them would not create more danger, if social distancing is observed; closing them causes deep and unnecessary suffering to those already hurting.

In his petition, Cllr Clarke stated: “We are all struggling under the current restrictions.  But for the grieving it is much, much worse.”

by Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter

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