Families who want to exhume the remains of relatives who died of COVID-19 for reburial at places of origin can approach the courts for permission. Due to COVID-19 regulations, many people who died of the virus were buried in cemeteries closer to hospitals or the places where the death occurred. Families could only transport their loved ones’ remains to areas of origin or of their choice if the deceased was cremated at their cost. This led to complaints from several grieving families who, although they wanted to bury loved ones closer to home, could not as their cultural and traditional beliefs did not allow for cremation. The World Health Organisation and subsequently the Ministry of Health and Social Services have since revised the regulations to allow for COVID-19 deceased to be transported and buried at sites of the families’ preference without cremation. Health Minister Kalumbi Shangula on Wednesday, while responding to questions in Parliament, noted that while the protocols on burial have since been adjusted, permission to dig-up or exhume remains is only granted by the courts. “According to the laws of Namibia, exhumation can only be done on the order of the court. If there is any family who intends to go that route, they should approach the court and the court can grant an order for exhumation,” Shangula said. Earlier this month, the minister announced that families who choose to carry out burials outside a locality where the death occurred may do so at their own cost. He said human remains will be handled by a professional and a registered undertaker trained and certified by the State to handle human remains of persons who succumb to notifiable infectious diseases, including COVID-19. Cultural or religious rites are permitted and should be conducted in adherence to infection prevention and control safety measures. “A person who died of COVID-19 complications should be buried in a normal cemetery. The grave should not be less than two metres deep. The grave is covered with soft sand by the staff of the MoHSS or the undertaker until the coffin is covered. Afterwards, tools will be disinfected and family members can fully cover the grave as long as they are wearing the full personal protective gear which Government will not supply,” Shangula explained. The same protocol would apply once exhumation has been granted by the court. -NAMPA