ONGWEDIVA – The executive director in the health ministry Ben Nangombe said the suspension of Covid-19 regulations includes burials.

In a telephonic interview with New Era, Nangombe confirmed that all restrictions, including restrictions over Covid-19 burials, are lifted forthwith.    

‘’Funerals are now being carried on as usual, on a normal cause. Normal cause means as it used to be done. There is no extra money needed to be paid for the preparation of Covid-19 deaths,” he explained.

But New Era’s investigation reveals otherwise. 

An Oshakati-based private undertaker's employee confirmed that they are still being requested to carry out Covid-19 burials.

“Yes, we still do Covid burials. If the deceased was a pensioner or a disabled person, we charge N$5 000, including the coffin. Otherwise, we charge more than that,’’ she said.

Another funeral undertaker said Covid-19 burials are more expensive because of the services rendered.

He added that it is for that reason that they charge much more than for a normal burial.

One of the employees at one of the local private undertakers explained that Covid-19 services comprise a lot of work, and families don’t do anything.

Investigations carried out by New Era reveal that some hospitals are still referring bereaved families to private undertakers for such burials. 

A family, who lost their family member who allegedly contracted Covid-19 while in hospital, claims that they were advised to consult a private undertaker. 

Covid-19 burials are a burden to families who are already struggling to bury their loved ones through normal burials, as they are required pay those extra thousands of dollars.

When one dies of Covid, his/her family is expected to fork out an additional N$4 000 to N$8 000 on top of the normal funeral expenses. 

- vkaapanda@nepc.com.na