50 attendees allowed at funerals
The Government has relaxed the cap on the number of attendees at funerals and tangi at alert level 2 to 50.
It had been set at just 10 attendees.
From today funeral directors can obtain dispensation to allow up to 50 people to attend a funeral, as long as the Ministry of Health is satisfied that a range of public health measures can consistently be met, such as physical distancing, good hand hygiene and no food and drink congregations afterwards.
‘‘Funerals are exceptional events and have been one of the most difficult areas of restriction that we’ve considered as we try to avoid the double tragedy of losing a loved one and spreading the virus,’’ Health Minister David Clark said.
The cap had caused widespread public outrage after it was noted that restaurants and cinemas could welcome 100 guests provided they were adequately distanced.
The Government said the inconsistency was because people who attended funerals and tangi did so with the express purpose of comforting one another, unlike gatherings at restaurants and cinemas.
Clark said funerals had been at the heart of many deadly clusters overseas.
‘‘Around the world we have seen the virus spread at funerals as well as a second wave of infection taking hold just as countries were getting on top of the virus, like we are now.
‘‘For example, a funeral of 100 people in the US led to an outbreak resulting in 30 deaths
‘‘Funerals are exceptional events and have been one of the most difficult areas of restriction that we’ve considered.’’
David Clark
Minister of Health
across one county, three funerals in South Africa led to 200 cases, and 143 cases in Canada have been linked to one funeral home,’’ he said.
As a result of the changes, funeral directors will now register funerals with the Ministry of Health and declare that health requirements have been met.