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Disaster Management Act, 2002 (Act No. 57 of 2002)

Notices

Directions from the Department of Health to prevent and combat the spread of COVID-19

15. Disposal of COVID-19 Mortal Remains

 

(1) The COVID-19 mortal remains must not be kept for more than seven days at the mortuary.

 

(2) The relevant health authority may intervene where mortal remains are not claimed within seven days.

 

(3) Should the death rate appear to exceed the capacity of available space to keep mortal remains, the relevant health authority may intervene to facilitate multi-burials.

 

(4) Municipalities must ensure that a multi-burial is done in consideration of human dignity and the necessary controls must be put in place to ensure that mortal remains can be identified.

 

(5) Machinery (for digging and closing of graves) may be used if deemed fit to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 and when hand tools are used during digging and closing of the grave, the tools must be sanitised.

 

(6) People carrying the coffin must wear disposable hand gloves which must be disposed of properly.