There are a lot of rumours and misinformation are being circulated on social media platforms about how to dispose of the body of a Covid-19 victim.
To prevent this, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare had issued guidelines for its citizens.
Here is a look at the guidelines and protocols that need to be followed while handling Covid-19 victims’ bodies during funerals.
*The Crematorium/ burial ground staff should be sensitized that COVID 19 does not pose additional risk.
* The staff will practice standard precautions of hand hygiene, use of masks and gloves.
* Viewing of the dead body by unzipping the face end of the body bag (by the staff using standard precautions) may be allowed, for the relatives to see the body for one last time.
* Religious rituals such as reading from religious scripts, sprinkling holy water and any other last rites that does not require touching of the body can be allowed.
* Bathing, kissing, hugging, etc. of the dead body should not be allowed.
* The funeral/ burial staff and family members should perform hand hygiene after cremation/ burial.
* The ash does not pose any risk and can be collected to perform the last rites.
* Large gathering at the crematorium/ burial ground should be avoided as a social distancing measure as it is possible that close family contacts may be symptomatic and/ or shedding the virus.