ZIMBABWEANS accompanying bodies of dead relatives from outside the country now face 21-days compulsory quarantine before they can proceed to bury their loved ones.

This came out in a government memo directed to funeral parlours Tuesday.

The memo in part read as follows:

“All bodies being repatriated to Zimbabwe for burial will be treated as contagious except in cases where the cause of death is by road accident, murder or other body injuries,” read the statement.

“Consequently, all such mortal remains will require clearance by the Ministry of Health and Child Care in Zimbabwe using the usual clearance channels.

“Relatives accompanying the remains will now be subjected to mandatory quarantine at the designated points before proceeding to the funeral.

“The same applies in cases where the body is transiting through Zimbabwe.”

Zimbabwe’s Consul-General to South Africa, Mr Melody Chaurura said they had since communicated the new set of regulations to the funeral parlours.

“We have advised the funeral parlours on the new order after getting correspondence from the Ministry of Health and Child Care at home,” she said.

“Under the new order, all bodies being brought repatriated o Zimbabwe for burial will be treated as contagious except in cases where the cause of death is a road accident, murder or other body injuries.

“In addition, all remains now require the clearance of the Ministry of Health and Child Care prior to their transportation to Zimbabwe under the usual procedures.

“Relatives accompanying the remains are now being subjected to under mandatory quarantine at any port of entry upon arrival in the country before proceeding to the various destinations”.