The City of Johannesburg has noted its readiness for a possible increase in the demand for mass burials related to the Covid-19.
“There must be dignity in death and support for the bereaved,” said MMC for Community Development, councillor Margaret Arnolds.
Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ), the entity responsible for the cemeteries and crematoria in the city, will be guided by protocols by the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs in relation to the Covid-19 regulations surrounding gatherings and the disposal of remains afflicted by the pandemic.
According to City Parks spokesperson Jenny Moodley, the City currently has 37 cemeteries. “While 33 of the cemeteries have reached full capacity for primary burials, four other cemeteries have an existing capacity to accommodate 1 034 000 new graves,” she said.
Moodley added that City Parks also has two crematoria and one private crematorium with nine cremators in operation. “Forty-one cremations can, therefore, be accommodated on a daily basis – in the eventuality of new requests,” she said.
City Parks has requested that all funeral homes ensure that the details of all mourners that are present at the burial be recorded.
“This is to ensure that there is a tracking and tracing process in the unlikely event of an infected person being present at a gathering,” Moodley added.
The Joburg Metro Police Department has also implemented stringent measures to ensure high levels of compliance with the number of persons at a burial – not exceeding 50.
She noted that the Muslim oversight body has tabled a plan which has been adopted in the event of a Muslim burial that is Covid-19 related. “Only 20 people may be present, with three people that are lowering the body in mandatory full PPE,” Moodley said.
MMC Arnolds encouraged all residents to stay at home and to avoid any gatherings for the next few weeks, which will be crucial in containing any resurgence of the virus, until the relevant authorities are able to put long-term measures in place.
“The sad reality is that for many families that have lost a loved one due to Covid-19, only the direct family will be allowed at the cemetery or crematorium,” Moodley added.
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