Ondo State Government have given residents of the state an ultimatum of one month to bury their dead lying in all government morgues. This is in it’s bid to promote an healthy environment across the state by decongesting morgues in Government Hospitals across the state.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Wahab Adegbenro, who said morgues in Government Hospitals were already congested gave this directive through a statement.
He added that if urgent measures are not taken, it will constitute Public Health hazard to residents of the State.
The Health Commissioner; in the Statement; also issued set regulations for the protocols to be observed during the burials.
Adegbenro however clarified that the government is not insenstive to the culture, traditions and feelings of the people, but said the ultimatum was given in the overall best interest of all.
He noted that at the expiration of the one month, all unclaimed and unburied corpses in government morgues across the state may be given mass burial.
The Commissioner recalled that a Circular dated 30th April was earlier issued stating that there is no prohibition of the burial of loved ones but that Covid-19 precautionary measures must be strictly adhered to and these includes:
“Burial rites and services must be held at the grave side with not more than 20 people in attendance, social distancing rules to be obeyed to the latter”.
“No Burial Services in Churches or Mosques or partying after burials until the coast is clear”
“Nose Masks must be worn by all attendees”
“Soap and water provided for hand washing / hand sanitizer provided”.