By A Correspondent- The government of Zimbabwe has introduced new strict rules for the repatriation and burial of people who will have died in foreign lands.

The new measures are part of the government’s efforts to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

iHarare has learned that According to the new rules, relatives who will be accompanying the body will only be able to attend the funeral after being quarantined for 21 days. All bodies will be treated as being contagious except for those where the cause of death is road traffic accident, murder or other body injuries.

Below is the letter which was written to all funeral parlours in South Africa by the Zimbabwe Consulate.21 April 2020

To All Funeral Parlours

RE: NEW REPATRIATION GUIDELINES

Please be advised that the Ministry of Health and Child Care of the Republic of Zimbabwe has directed as follows. with immediate effect:

As a way of protecting the country against exposure to the deadly Coronavirus:

All bodies being repatriated U Zimbabwe for burial will be treated as contagious except in cases where the cause of death is road accident, murder or other body injuries

Consequently, all such mortal remains will require clearance by the Ministry of Health and Child Care in Zimbabwe using the usual clearance channels.

Relatives accompanying the remains will be subjected to 21 days mandatory quarantine at the designated points before proceeding the funeral. (The same applies in cases where the body is transiting through Zimbabwe).

Only the driver of the hearse is allowed to proceed to the final place of burial in Zimbabwe and is required to return back to South Africa immediately after burial.

All funeral parlours are therefore required to comply with the directives.

M. Chaurura
Consul General

CC Ambassador Zim-Pretoria