Cogta Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma has gazetted further amendments to the regulations on the COVID-19 lockdown in order to flatten the infection curve.
The amendments allow certain individuals to move between provinces, metropolitan and district areas for the purposes of transporting a body for burial purposes.
The amendment also limits the individuals who are permitted to travel to funerals.
The regulations now outline a process on how people -- who wish to travel between provinces or metropolitan and district areas to attend a burial or cremation -- can obtain a permit.
Only the following people, who live outside a province or metropolitan and district areas, may attend a funeral:
- spouse or partner of the deceased;
- children of the deceased, whether biological, adopted or stepchildren.
- children-in-law of the deceased;
- parents of the deceased - whether biological, adopted or stepparents;
- siblings, whether biological, adopted or stepbrother or sister of the deceased;
- grandparents of the deceased; and
- persons closely affiliated to the deceased.
The current prohibition of 50 persons attending a funeral is still in effect. The holding of night vigils is still prohibited.
The permit may be obtained from a Magistrate or a station commander of a police station or a person designated by him or her.
In order to obtain a permit a Magistrate, who is the head of office or a station commander of a police station or a person designated by him or her, must be provided with a death certificate or a certified copy of a death certificate.
A permit holder may stay at a hotel, lodge or guesthouse for the duration of the funeral or cremation. The permit must be presented to the owner or manager of the hotel, lodge or guesthouse.
The COVID-19 regulations and amendment may be accessed for download at: http://www.cogta.gov.za/?p=7871 or .
