The government has imposed strict rules for funerals during the Covid-19 pandemic
By GRACE AUDU –
About 3,000 undertakers have gone on strike in South Africa demanding better pay and working conditions.
According to a bbc.com report, the undertakers are refusing to collect bodies from homes and hospitals – and to hold burials.
Their union is calling for the government to set up a coronavirus relief fund.
The cost of burials and cremations has increased by up to 25% since the beginning of the pandemic, due to the need for personal protective equipment, sanitiser and other items.
The authorities say they are worried that the strike will cause significant risk to public health.
South Africa has the most reported cases of coronavirus infections in Africa, with 649,793 case and deaths numbering 15,447 as at Monday.
The confirmed cases of COVID-19 from 55 African countries have reached 1,353,390. Reported deaths in Africa have reached 32,623, and recoveries 1,099,770.
Other most-affected countries include Egypt (101,009 cases), Morocco (86,686), Ethiopia (64,301), Nigeria (56,256) and Algeria (48,254).
The numbers are compiled by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University ( world map ) using statistics from the World Health Organization and other international institutions as well national and regional public health departments.
(With additional report by allaffrica.com)