China has officially banned funerals and other events where friends and families can pay their respects for deceased victims of the new coronavirus that originated in Wuhan, China.
China’s National Health Commission (NHC) issued the new regulations on Saturday saying that all victims who succumb to the virus must be cremated at the nearest facility.
“No farewell ceremonies or other funeral activities shall be held,” the NHC announcement reads.
The new regulations come as the death toll for the coronavirus continues to rise.
As of the end of Saturday, 304 people have died and 14, 380 have been infected by the virus, that originated in Wuhan, China. The virus has spread across all of China and to around two dozen other countries.
If a coronavirus victim dies, the following measures are to be taken as quickly as possible.
First, the medical staff at the medical facility where the person was being treated are required to disinfect and seal the remains. It is forbidden to open the remains once they have been sealed.
Second, the medical staff will issue a death certificate and notify the family. At this point, the local funeral services facility will be contacted.
Third, funeral services personnel will then collect the body, deliver it to the relevant facility, and directly cremate the remains. A cremation certificate will then be issued.
No one is permitted to visit the remains during this process. Relatives will, however, be allowed to take the remains after cremation has been completed and documented, the NHC explained in its Saturday announcement.
An earlier announcement from the Ministry of Civil Affairs, according to the state-run People’s Daily, has advised people to hold quick and easy funerals and avoid large gatherings to help prevent the virus from spreading further.
