HARARE, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- The Zimbabwean government on Thursday reversed its ban on movement of bodies of people who die from COVID-19, saying bereaved family members must seek clearance from the Ministry of Health and Child Care if they wish to bury the body in a different place.
Bereaved families must also adhere to strict COVID-19 burial protocols that include having the body transported from funeral parlor/hospital mortuary straight to the burial site, ensure that there is no body viewing, and that burial is done immediately upon arrival.
A maximum number of 30 mourners must also be observed, acting minister of information Jenfan Muswere said.
"Regarding burials, the government continues to respect family choices and preferences regarding the last rites of deceased family members.
"To that end, the movement of bodies has not been banned. For the avoidance of doubt, clearances to move bodies have to be sought from the Ministry of Health and Child Care," Muswere said in a statement Thursday following an ad-hoc inter-ministerial taskforce on COVID-19 meeting held this Monday.
Two weeks ago, the government had directed that bodies of people who die from COVID-19 should be buried in areas where the deaths would have occurred in an effort to curb the spread of the pandemic.
The decision had caused anxiety among many Zimbabweans.
Zimbabwe has witnessed a surge in the number of COVID-19 infections and deaths, and has so far recorded 29,408 cases and 879 deaths since the first reported case last March. Enditem
