Changes to public access to the district’s cemeteries, crematorium and burial grounds have been made as a result of national measures in place to slow the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).
People should only visit Margate Crematorium if they are attending a service. Ramsgate cemetery remains open but people flouting social distancing rules by picnicking in the grounds may force the site to be closed off to the public.
At Margate the gates will be closed following the last service each day and remain closed at the weekends. No-one should enter the crematorium grounds even when the gates are open, unless they are attending a service. Services are limited to immediate family members only.
St John’s Cemetery, Margate, has been temporarily closed to visitors
Ramsgate Cemetery currently remains open as it does not have a crematorium within its grounds. The council is keeping this decision under review following recent incidents of fly tipping and groups ignoring social distancing rules. This has included the gatherings of people having picnics in the grounds.
As an operational cemetery, visitors to Ramsgate Cemetery must also abide by the instruction signage in place to protect public safety.
The action has been taken to comply with The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) Regulations 2020. The changes only relate to Thanet District Council grounds and do not include those run by religious organisations.
Cllr Steve Albon, Cabinet Member for Operational Services, said: “We apologise for any inconvenience and understand that this action may cause distress at this already difficult time. This closure will be reviewed in line with national guidance with a view to reopening the cemetery as soon as it is appropriate to do so.
“It’s disappointing to hear that some people visiting Ramsgate Cemetery have not been following guidance on social distancing, with some even seen picnicking in the grounds. If this continues we will have to take the difficult decision to close Ramsgate Cemetery as well.”
For more information on council services affected as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, please visit thanet.gov.uk
You should close Ramsgate cemetery if people are so.stupid.omly open when a burial as taking place.
Im up the Ramsgate cemetary every day walking the dogs, other than workmen and the odd dog walker/jogger ive seen no one having a picnic, if they close this it will be a sad day for those os us who walk here every day before this outbreak
I hope the cemetery can remain open – it’s a quiet space where people living nearby can go for quiet reflection and thinking of loved ones even if they are not buried there – these things are going to be important to everyone now and over the coming weeks and months – flouting the rules with picnics is inconsiderate and selfish by a minority that will impact on the majority – it’ll be a sad day if it closes
What a load of utter rubbish regularly visit my dads grave for last 20 years have never ever seen anyone having a picnic on the grounds , can’t visit loved ones got to be a infringement of human rights , bureaucratic nonsense .
and in those 20 years how often has their been a pandemic in full flow so loads of people using the graveyard to take kids?