City advises on further amendments to Covid-19 fatality management regulations
24 March 2021
The amendments, gazetted on 19 March 2021, included changes to the handling of mortal remains and funeral attendance, among others.
The City of Cape Town notes the latest amendment to the Disaster Management Regulations, pertaining to the handling of Covid-19 remains and burials.
The amended regulations were gazetted on Friday 19 March 2021.
The full document of amendments is available here: http://bit.ly/CCTCovid-Fatality
As pertains to the City’s cemeteries, the following amendments are to be noted:
Coffins should not be wrapped in any type of plastic
Undertakers must deliver the mortal remains on the day of burial, and must ensure that the remains are not touched
Funeral attendance is limited to 50 people, including undertaker personnel
‘There have been numerous changes to the regulations by national government since the start of the pandemic. It is important that everyone concerned stay up to date with these changes to ensure that we continue to give deceased persons the most dignified send-off possible, under what continue to be very trying circumstances,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.
Fatality management remains one of the key components of the City’s response to Covid-19.
To date, the City’s cemeteries and Maitland crematorium have managed to handle the increased demand for burials during the first two waves of the pandemic.
While there has been an increase in weekday burials, Saturdays remain the busiest day of the week at the City’s cemeteries.
Funeral organisers are reminded to please consider weekday burials where possible, to limit the congestion at cemeteries, to stick to their allotted time of 30 minutes, and to adhere to health and safety protocols at all times.
The City further encourages loved ones to consider cremation where it is not prohibited on religious or cultural grounds.
‘We have experienced a decrease in the number of burials since the second wave of the pandemic slowed down, but all indications are that we will have a third and even fourth wave of infections. So it is imperative that we continue managing the use of our cemeteries and crematorium, and avoid a situation where multi-burials become necessary, even though these are allowed for in the national regulations,’ added Councillor Badroodien.
End
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
