The government of Zimbabwe has with immediate effect banned the movement of dead bodies from place to place for burial in an effort to contain the spread of Covid-19.

The new measures were announced by police and health officials late on Sunday as the country recorded 978 new infections and 24 deaths from the respiratory virus, ZimLive reports

As part of the new measures, the government has with immediate effect restricted the movement of dead bodies from cities and towns to rural areas to curb the spread of Covid-19. This means that people who die will be buried in towns or areas in which they would have died.

The police will only clear body movements for burial straight from a funeral parlor/hospital mortuary to the cemetery.

In a statement last night, national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the new measures were ordered by the Ministry of Health and Child Care and were meant to curb the spread of Coronavirus.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police advises the public that the Ministry of Health and Child Care has informed the police of immediate restrictions imposed on the movement of dead bodies for burial in the country.

“According to health officials, a body will now be buried in the town/city where the death would have taken place. This is being done in order to curtail the spread of Covid-19 pandemic,” reads part of the statement.

iHarare is publishing the statement in its entirety:

Source: iHarare