Disaster Management Act, 2002 (Act No. 57 of 2002)NoticesDirections from the Department of Health to prevent and combat the spread of COVID-1915. 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. |