Mourners urged to observe Covid-19 protocols
WITH Zimbabwe recording a surge in Covid-19 related deaths in the last few weeks, funeral assurance firms say they have put in place mechanisms to ensure everyone gets a decent burial, but implored mourners to observe all protocols as outlined by the Government to minimise the spread of the virus.
Zimbabwe has been recording a rise in Covid-19 deaths lately, with the highest being 102 reported last Friday, resulting in a number of families congregating at cemeteries at the same time, especially in urban areas.
Yesterday, our news crew visited a number of cemeteries including Zororo, Granville commonly known as KuMbudzi and Warren Hills, to have a picture of what is taking place on the ground.
At Zororo Cemetery, there were six different groups burying their loved ones at around 10am, and there was no social distancing being observed while a handful of people could be seen without properly wearing their face masks.
However, at Granville Cemetery around 11am where Harare Municipality Funeral Services officials were burying a suspected Covid-19 case, family members were following proceedings from a distance although they were over 50.
The situation was the same at Warren Hills Cemetery where one burial procession was underway around lunchtime.
Health experts say funerals can become super-spreaders if mourners do not observe guidelines to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Harare City Council spokesperson Mr Michael Chideme said council was experiencing an average of 15 burials per day.
Doves Holdings group public relations manager Mr Innocent Tshuma told The Her
yesterday that as the national statistics show a surge in Covid-19 related deaths, their organisation has planned for response initiatives for different scenarios.
“So far our systems are holding and we are able to continue providing relatively seamless services to the nation as we lay to rest loved ones with the dignity they deserve during these trying times,” he said.
“We have ordered and will be receiving additional equipment as part of earlier planning processes. Some of this equipment includes hearses and Covid-19 tools for our staff including training and where necessary, the provision counselling services for our staff.
“In short we are coping. It’s also important to add that we are following WHO and Ministry of Health and Child Care processes and protocols. We are also indebted to our clients for, by and large, abiding with laid down protocols and we are appealing to Zimbabweans to follow the rules of masking, washing hands and social distancing. We also implore the nation to observe the 30 maximum guidelines at funerals as this helps stop spread of this deadly disease.”
Mr Tshuma added that they have put in place online and social media platforms for their clients to use as they access services and information without having to physically come to their premises, unless it becomes “absolutely necessary”.