The Coldstream Cemetery. Closed due to COVID-19.
Image Credit: FACEBOOK/Celine Duranleau
April 17, 2020 - 4:10 PM
On the one year anniversary of her grandmother's death, Celine Duranleau and her mother headed to the Coldstream Cemetery to see their loved one and show their respects.
However, the cemetery was closed - a sign on the gate said due to COVID-19.
Duranleau said she's totally on board with social distancing but she didn't see the logic in closing the cemetery.
"I’m sure I’m not the only one who wanted to see loved ones and have a chat because they’re lonely at home," Duranleau told iNFOnews.ca.
She described the April 15 visit and closure as "upsetting." Duranleau took to Facebook and added a "slight rant" on the Vernon & Area Community Forum page.
Duranleau also questions the logic of why it is closed.
"I think it’s ridiculous that golf courses are allowed to be open, where I can guarantee there is way more interaction between people, yet a cemetery, which I’ve seen at most two people visiting at the same time (is closed)," Duranleau said.
While the majority of cities across the Interior putting various restrictions on the use of playgrounds and parks, the District of Coldstream closed all its parks, beaches, parking lots and public spaces on March 23.
The District of Coldstream's decision to include its cemetery in this list goes against the directives rolled out in other cities across the region. The cities of Kamloops, Kelowna, Vernon and Penticton all confirmed their cemeteries are still open to visitors.
District of Coldstream Mayor Jim Garlick was not immediately available for comment.
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