Coronavirus: Planning a wedding or funeral? Police need to be notified first

Gauteng Premier David Makhura, while addressing the media on ways the government can curb the spread of coronavirus — strangely enough — included residents having to notify police of a wedding or funeral that they might be planning.

Makhura spoke of protective measures like hygiene control and the ban of more than 100 people at public gatherings, however, he also mentioned that anyone wanting to plan a wedding or funeral needs to notify police in advance.

“Everyone who is applying for a funeral or for a wedding needs to do so at the nearest police station in your area. The police stations are helping us to monitor to ensure that the size of those events complies with the law,” said Makhura. 

Does one need to apply for a wedding or a funeral due to coronavirus? 

The South African contacted Bandile Masuku’s spokesperson Kwara Kekana. When asked about the comment, Kekana explained it is indeed correct and residents in Gauteng now need to contact police at their nearest police station to notify them of a wedding or a funeral. 

Kekana explained that it’s not really to apply to have a wedding or funeral, but rather just to notify the police and make them aware that a large group of people could possibly gather in the midst of the coronavirus. 

As we know, weddings and funerals see a large group of people gathering together, and most of the time, it’s more than 100 people. 

President Cyril Ramaphosa on Sunday 15 March, in his address in Tshwane, said that gatherings with more than 100 people can no longer take place due to the rapid spread of the coronavirus. 

When asked whether police had to give permission or consent to a resident hosting a wedding or a funeral, Kekana said she does not think that is the case. She explained it is simply to notify them in case of any emergencies. 

Kekana said she cannot confirm what police would do after a resident makes them aware of a public gathering. 

Here are other measures Gauteng will put in place 

Makhura, besides alerting residents to the planning of weddings or funerals also mentioned a few other precautions that the government would be implementing to curb the rapid spread of coronavirus. After all, there are currently 61 confirmed cases in Gauteng, the highest among all the South African provinces.

Here are some of  the other measures that will be implemented in Gauteng: 

• On Friday 20 March, Makhura will meet with religious institutions, while most have communicated they will cancel or postpone their Easter services; 
• Additional quarantine facilities, should the current hospitals and clinics not be enough; 
• People should not be panic buying, it is not necessary; 
• People should not flood health facilities unnecessarily; 
• Health education in all languages will be intensified; 
• An increase in police visibility, in particular, regarding group gatherings like weddings or funerals;
• Transport like taxis and the Gautrain are being cleansed for ultimate hygiene; and 
• Community halls, parks and nature reserves will be closed from Wednesday. 

Makhura also announced the province’s Covid-19 executive council steering committee, which will be led by Masuku — the provincial spokesperson on the coronavirus pandemic.

According to The Citizen, the team will include:

• MEC for Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation Mbali Hlophe;
• MEC for Transport Jacob Mamabolo;
• Director-General Phindile Baleni;
• MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Lebogang Maile;
• MEC for Infrastructure Development and Property Management Tasneem Motara; and
• MEC for Community Safety Faith Mazibuko.