Private mortuaries in Homa-Bay County that are contravening directives which prohibit preserving human bodies beyond 72 hours have been warned that they risk losing their licenses.
Homa-Bay County Commissioner Moses Lilan said morgues which preserve human bodies beyond the stipulated period of 72 hours were breaching Covid 19 containment protocols.
Lilan said that it has come to their attention that there are some private mortuaries which are still holding human bodies beyond 72 hours from the time of death contrary to government directive that orders that bodies should be disposed of within 72 hours after death.
In a press release to media houses Tuesday, the County Commissioner warned that his office and public health department would conduct a crackdown on the morgues within the County to ensure no bodies were preserved beyond the stipulated periods.
He said that similar directives applied to all public mortuaries which may also contravene the same order.
Lilan also ordered that no burial ceremony will be allowed to last for more than five hours and mourners must not exceed 100 to minimize the spread of Covid-19 in the county.
The administrator warned operators of Bars, Restaurants, and other social joints against breaching curfew timelines of closure of their premises at 9pm. He said bar operators and their staff will be arrested and charged in court if they break Covid 19 containment regulations.
Lilan urged parents to closely monitor their children and ensure they stay at home this holiday season to prevent unnecessary movements that may put their lives at risk of contracting corona virus.
The administrator advised members of the public to continue observing ministry of health protocols in fighting the spread of Covid-19 within the community.
By Viola Atieno and Davis Langat
