Admin l Monday, April 27, 2020
LAGOS, Nigeria – The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Sanwo-Olu has appealed to residents to claim their dead bodies according to schedule, adding that residents collecting dead bodies from the various mortuaries are exempted from the lockdown occasioned by the Coronavirus pandemic.
Sanwo- Olu made the appeals as part of efforts to decongest mortuaries across the state, adding that the dead bodies concerened are however not related to the COVID-19 pandemic
He said people are free to claim the dead bodies and take them for burial but that those attending the burial should not exceed 20 including officiating ministers.
Sanwo-Olu threatened to carry out mass burial if the dead bodies are not claimed.
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“We are currently experiencing congestions in the mortuaries across the state due to the delay in the burial of loved ones, who passed away prior to the Lenten season coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. It is imperative that I mention that these are not COVID-19 related deaths.
“This development has brought about the urgent need for the decongestion of the mortuaries and Lagosians are permitted to schedule the funerals of their loved ones, as funerals are on the list of activities exempted from the lockdown restrictions.
“Residents are hereby implored to pick up corpses of their loved ones for burial in line with the established protocol for COVID-19 management in the country.
“Funerals can be held across the state in compliance with the social distancing guidelines and the restriction of number of funeral attendees to 20, including officiating religious leaders. It is also now compulsory to wear face masks in public places and attendees of funerals must observe this guidelines.
“There must be no receptions nor parties during/after funerals and interstate travel for interment/funerals is prohibited.
“If in the next 2weeks mortuaries remain congested, the Lagos State Government will be compelled to carry out mass burials to achieve decongestion. This is an action we would not want to resort to.
“Therefore, in order to avoid the mass burial of our loved ones, we are hereby seeking residents’ cooperation in this regard.
Thank You”.
