Media Release: Funeral undertakers trained to safely handle COVID-19 deceased

For Immediate Release
2 April 2020

Disease outbreaks often claim lives, and the number of lives lost since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic on a global scale, stands at 49,240. In light of the COVID-19 outbreak that hit South Africa, all 9 its provinces and subsequently, the Garden Route district, Environmental Health Practitioners from Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), in conjunction with Forensic Pathology Services (FPS) and Emergency Medical Services (EMS), provided training to all funeral undertakers in the district. This was done to ensure that they are trained on aspects such as the safe handling and transportation of the deceased, including the donning and doffing of personal protective equipment and the disinfection of contaminated sites.

Training sessions took place yesterday in all municipal areas and accommodated 40 funeral undertakers in the Garden Route District.

Training sessions were conducted by officials from FPS, EMS, and Environmental Health Practitioners, who explained their different roles with regard to the handling and disposal of human remains and the disinfection of sites.

ENDS

Media Queries
Herman Pieters | Senior Communicator
Garden Route District Municipality
E-mail: communications@gardenroute.gov.za

Garden Route District Multi-Agency Command Centre