Overcrowding at funerals has continued to pose a challenge to efforts aimed at containing the spread of Covid-19 in Chipangali district.
And members of the District Epidemic Preparedness Committee have expressed concern with the practice that has continued despite the rising numbers of Covid-19 positive cases in the country.
Reformed Church in Zambia (RCZ) Reverend, Joseph Soko noted that the church was finding it difficult to tell people not to attend funerals in large numbers because of the tradition which was attached to those rites in the area.
Rev. Soko said there was so much tradition attached to funerals especially in rural areas, making it difficult to encourage people to gather in smaller numbers in order to protect themselves from contracting coronavirus.
Rev. Soko was speaking during the Covid-19 weekly update meeting held at Kasenga primary school in Chipangali district yesterday.
He observed that people did not even follow health guidelines of masking up, frequent washing of hands and observing social distancing.
“I wonder what can be done for one to lessen that. People have attached a lot of tradition to funerals and when you advise, you are told that you cannot prevent them from mourning their loved ones,” Rev Soko said.
And chairperson of the committee Peter Msimuko said according to health guidelines, only 50 people are supposed to attend a funeral but at village setup that is not being followed.
Mr. Msimuko, who is also Chipangali District Commissioner, has meanwhile appealed to churches to reduce preaching time at funeral services to allow people to disperse in good time.
“I am appealing to the church mother bodies to help share the message of reducing on preaching time so that people can go back to their homes in good time. This time around, funerals should not be avenues for showing how good you can preach where you spend a lot of time but should be brief so that you allow people to disperse,” he said.
He also challenged traditional leaders to help control the number of mourners at funerals if the district was to fight Covid-19 with consented effort.
Meanwhile, Chipangali Council Secretary John Mwanza said there was need for more sensitisation about Covid-19 in villages to make people understand and reduce the days of mourning.
Mr. Mwanza said some families mourn for more than five days as they waited for their relatives who could still be traveling long distances.
He observed that this puts those that are at the funeral house at risk of contracting coronavirus because of many people frequenting the place.
Covid-19 is real and is serious. People are getting infected,hospitalised and dying in huge numbers. Funeral, Church, Wedding, Political etc gatherings have become Super Spreaders of Covid-19 so the Govt regulate them to reduce the Rate of infections in the Country. The Govt cannot remain aloof while People are dying. The WHO Covid-19 Guidelines should be enforced at all costs. The Govt shouldn’t weoponise the disease to gain Political Advantage in an Election Season. The Govt should limit the numbers in all gatherings and lockdown measures as a means to control the infections shouldn’t be ruled out.The writing is on the wall.
…and by extension, churches. Anything with gatherings. Let’s take our gloves off for once in our lives.
You have a point. Some traditions are for peace times only, not when there is extreme danger.
Yes funeral gatherings could be a danger but political gatherings are the worst. Just take time to watch ZNBC news this evening and you will understand what I mean. The say a Freedom SIkazwe was breathing directly in the cadres he was giving pf regalia in Moulungu. It really surprised me because he had a mask on his chin.
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Sibusiso Moyo (SB) has died.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services acting Minister Jenfan Muswere has confirmed the death but could not give further details.
“I can confirm for now that Minister SB Moyo has died,” he said.
Minister SB Moyo played a pivotal role in the New Dispensation.
Zimbabwe’s Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Sibusiso Moyo (SB) has died.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services acting Minister Jenfan Muswere has confirmed the death but could not give further details.
“I can confirm for now that Minister SB Moyo has died,” he said.
Minister SB Moyo played a pivotal role in the New Dispensation.
The guidelines are very clear ilon such matters.. people should be responsible enough
Let’s all adhere to the safety guidelines
We just have to be responsible enough as a people. We have been given guidelines and they are very clear
He attended a military course at Zambian Military Academy , Kohima in 1977.
Christians!!!
If the wages of sin is death, why do plants and other animals die???
How about Lungu’s gatherings wherever he is gallivanting? The Ministry of health is also not helping matters, how is it that cholera bodies were buried by health departments of the councils, but infectious bodies of Covid 19 are buried anyhow? I was shocked to learn that a body of a person who died of Covid 19 death was allowed to be transported from Ndola to Lusaka for burial? How do you expect the public to take Covid 19 seriously when the Head of state and his minions are gallivanting aimlessly without observing health regulations?
Funeral gatherings should be limited to only 20 people. Weddings, church gatherings, concerts, public functions must be banned altogether.