Lockdown regulations amended: These people may travel for funerals

Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, has gazetted further amendments to the regulations on the COVID-19 lockdown — this includes the movement of citizens for funerals. 

On Thursday 2 April, she stated that the following amendments will enhance the national response measures to COVID-19, as well as, to maintain the integrity of the lockdown. 

Lockdown: Movement regarding funerals clarified 

Movement in and around South Africa regarding the attendance of funerals is being clarified in the amendment regulations. According to Dlamini-Zuma, the amendments allow only certain individuals to move between provinces and metropolitan and district areas for purposes of transporting a body for burial.

The amendment also limits the individuals who are permitted to travel to funerals. The regulation now outlines that people who wish to travel for burials or cremations, must obtain a permit to do so.

It further determines that only the following persons, 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 stepsister 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 operation. The holding of night vigils is still prohibited,” said Dlamini-Zuma. 

Here’s how to get a permit 

The permit one needs in order to attend a funeral may be obtained from:

• A magistrate who is the head of office; or
• A station commander of a police station or a person designated by him or her. 

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 guest house for the duration of the funeral or cremation. The permit must also be presented to the owner or manager of the hotel, lodge or guest house.

The members of the Inter-Ministerial Task Team (IMTT) on COVID-19 will hold a briefing on the amendments on Thursday.