Ri-Bhoi’s Deputy Commissioner has issued the new guidelines for conducting last rites during the Covid-19 pandemic, as has been issued in other districts of the state.
Although the chance of Covid-19 spreading from a dead body is low, the DC advised extreme caution to prevent any risk.
A dead body must be transferred into a coffin if it is to be taken to the family home and must be kept outdoors. Only 20 people can visit and on the same day, or latest by 2pm of the following day, the burial or cremation must be completed. However, 30 people are allowed to be present at the cemetery or crematorium.
Bathing, kissing, hugging etc of the dead body is prohibited. Family can view the face of the deceased one last time before burial but precautions should be taken while doing so.