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.
Adegbenro said that government was not insensitive to the culture, traditions and feelings of the people, stressing that the ultimatum was given in the overall interest of all.
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.
A circular dated April 30, 2020, did not prohibit the burial of loved ones but that the coronavirus precautionary measures must be strictly adhered to.
According to the circular, burial rites and services must be held at the graveside 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 sanitizers where possible.
Adegbenro urged parents and caregivers to keep their children at home and not expose them to the risk of contracting the COVID-19 virus.
