Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has gazetted amendments to regulations around funeral attendance during the national lockdown.

She said the amendments would allow certain people to move between provinces and metropolitan and district areas for transporting a body for burial purposes.

“The amendments will enhance national integrated response measures while also clarifying the application of the regulations relating to government’s measures to reduce the risk of infection and curtail the rapid spread of the Covid-19 virus while maintaining the integrity of the lockdown," Dlamini-Zuma said.

While the amendment makes exceptions, it also limits the individuals who are permitted to travel to funerals.

South Africans hoping to travel between provinces, or between metropolitan and district areas to attend a burial or cremation must obtain a permit.

Only the following may attend a funeral:

• spouse or partner of the deceased;
• children of the deceased, whether biological, adopted or stepchildren.
• children-in-law of the deceased;
• parents of the deceased whether biological, adopted or step-parents;
• siblings, whether biological, adopted or stepbrother or sister of the deceased;
• grandparents of the deceased; and
• persons closely affiliated to the deceased.

Dlamini-Zuma added that the current limit of 50 persons attending a funeral is still in place and the holding of night vigils is still prohibited.

A permit may be obtained from a magistrate who is the head of office or from a station commander of a police station, or a person designated by the commander.

A death certificate or a certified copy of a death certificate must also be provided.

"It is important to note that a permit holder may stay at a hotel, lodge or guest house for the duration of the funeral or cremation. The permit must be presented to the owner or manager of the hotel, lodge or guest house," Dlamini-Zuma said.