Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHaP) and National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA) have announced a set of protocols for regulating social events and gatherings which are aimed at containing the spread of COVID-19.
The rules for weddings and other family occasions
- the number of first degree attendees of both families should not exceed 10
- attendees should conduct a COVID-19 test 24 hours before the event
- open buffets are not permitted; single-use utensils and cups for eating and drinking are recommended
- all surfaces and areas should be sanitised frequently
- hand sanitisers should be widely available at events.
The preventive measures at funerals and associated services
- workers in cemeteries must wear face masks
- the tools used before and after the burial of the deceased should be disinfected
- workers must wash hands frequently with sanitisers that contain at least 60 to 80% alcohol
- only ten people are allowed to attend the funeral service
- no more than two people will dig the grave and the number of pallbearers is restricted to between 4 to 8
- workers in the cemetery must disclose symptoms of any respiratory illness and avoid coming to the cemetery
- awareness posters related to COVID-19 should be posted at the cemetery gate and relatives of the deceased should be educated about the preventive measures.
Common preventive and precautionary measures for the above social occasions
- people must maintain a distance of no less than two metres between each other
- they must monitor symptoms and avoid going to the funeral in case they develop a symptom of any respiratory illness or get fever
- prepare an isolation room in the event of a suspected case of COVID-19 infection
- be aware of how the disease spreads, wash hands and follow etiquette while sneezing and coughing
- advise people with chronic diseases and the elderly to not attend such events.
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