Disaster Management Act, 2002 (Act No. 57 of 2002)NoticesDirections from the Department of Health to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in South Africa7. Identification and establishment of mortuaries that will accommodate all COVID-19 mortal remains |
| (1) | All Metropolitan and District Municipalities must identify suitably authorised mortuaries with valid certificates of competence for the accommodation of all COVID-19 mortal remains and further management. |
| (2) | All Provincial Departments of Health must identify suitable government mortuaries that will accommodate COVID-19 mortal remains and determine their capacity. |
| (3) | All the above information should be submitted to the National Department of Health within 48 hours of the date of the publication of these directions for the attention of the Chief Director: Environmental Health and Port Health Services. |
| (4) | All government mortuaries and designated private funeral undertakers should, when handling COVID-19 mortal remains. adhere to the Regulations relating to the Management of Human Remains promulgated under section 68(1)(b) read with section 90(4)(c) of the National Health Act, 2003, (Act No.61 of 2003) and published in Government Notice No. R363 of 22 May 2013 ("Human Remains Regulations"). |
| (5) | All persons handling COVID-19 human remains should wear suitable personal protective clothing at all times and should practice good personal hygiene such as washing hands with soap and water and using personal protective clothing. |
| (6) | No person should at any given time handle the human remains with bare hands including kissing. |