The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Contact tracing to be introduced at funerals
Funeral directors have stepped up efforts to help the NHS keep track of coronavirus, by bringing in Test And Protect measures.
Scottish Government restrictions on funerals were eased slightly earlier in the week.
But with the freedom to have as many as 20 people attending services, councils are being tasked with ensuring undertakers take the names of everyone there.
In Aberdeen, contact details for individuals or a so-called lead member of a household attending any one of the city’s cemeteries or the crematorium are being collected to help contact tracing efforts.
The latest government revision of the rules on Wednesday let local authorities take up all services in addition to funerals, for example, allowing people to collect loved ones’ ashes.
Funeral services were previously limited to close family but have been opened up as long as social distancing is maintained.
It is understood Aberdeenshire Council is still working with funeral directors to ensure the rules are being met.
Further north, Highland Council expected to have contacted all its funeral directors by email.
It follows the local authority seeking extra advice from the Scottish Bereavement Benchmark group and the government about the requirements.
The Test And Protect scheme was brought in at Inverness Crematorium on Wednesday and after the extra advice, the practice will soon be rolled out to all northern burial grounds.