Georgia Develops New Burial Guidelines for COVID-19 Victims

The Ministry of Health of Georgia and the National Center for Disease Control have developed burial guidelines for those who have died from COVID-19. This has been reported by 'Alik Media'. Advisories have been issued to minimize the further spread of the virus from deceased individuals.

According to the order of Health Minister Ekaterine Tikaradze, mandatory points include placing the deceased diagnosed with the coronavirus in a body bag, with the international virus symbol affixed on the outside. Sterilization of the bag and the body is to be performed.

The body is to be transported from the hospital in the bag, which must not be opened at any point during burial. The burial of the deceased must occur in a timely manner, not exceeding 72 hours, and large gatherings for mourning services should be avoided. In cases where the virus is confirmed or suspected, autopsies or additional contact with the body are prohibited without appropriate necessity.

The respective funeral service must be notified of the death within one hour of its occurrence, and family members must be informed in a timely manner about the transfer. Similar measures have already been implemented in several countries where the disease has spread, and deaths have been recorded. For example, in Italy, where the number of deceased has surpassed 8,000, handling the body is prohibited, and bodies are transported to funeral homes in sealed coffins, which family members are not allowed to open. In Italy, the presence of more than two people at a burial has also been banned.

It is noteworthy that there have been no deaths reported in Georgia; however, three Georgian citizens have died in Spain during the outbreak.