The Ondo State Government has given residents one month ultimatum to remove their corpses from government mortuaries across the state so as to decongest the morgues.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Wahab Adegbenro, told newsmen on Saturday that morgues in government hospitals were already congested and would constitute public health hazard if urgent measures were not taken.
He said that all unclaimed and unburied corpses in government morgues across the state might be given mass burial at the end of the expiration date.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that a circular dated April 30, 2020 did not prohibit the burial of loved ones but that the COVID-19 precautionary measures must be strictly adhered to.
According to the circular, burial rites and services must be held at the grave side with not more than 20 people in attendance, while social distancing rule must be obeyed to the letter.
It added that no burial services in churches or mosques or partying after burial and face masks must be worn by all attendees.
The commissioner also reminded residents of the state that it has now become an offence to go outside one’s house without putting on a face mask, as it attracts penalty of being quarantined for 14 days.
He advised residents to keep their nails short so as not to harbour bacteria, wash their hands regularly with soap and running water and use hand sanitisers where possible.
