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The Minister of Health confirmed the funerals and tangihanga will be allowed under alert level 2, with the number of people at the event now limited to 50.
Starting Thursday, funeral directors can apply for an exemption to allow up to 50 people in services, provided the Ministry of Health is satisfied that public health and safety measures can be met. This includes physical distancing, hand hygiene, and there are no food and drink congregations afterward. If these measures cannot be met, only 10 people can attend.
Dr. David Clark says this change means more families can cry together.
“I hope that brings some comfort to people as they say goodbye to their loved ones,” he said Wednesday during a press conference.
He says funerals have been one of the most difficult restriction areas the government has considered, and he is pleased that there is now a viable solution.
“We have always said from the beginning that we want to manage this risk. The sector has intensified and they have said that they can manage the situation adequately with the appropriate public health measures.”
In a marae setting, Dr. Clark says public health units will provide support to those who want to apply for the exemption.
“In the first instance, we will rely on Whanau and those who are grieving to take the right steps to keep their loved ones safe, and with the support of public health experts, when necessary, we will ensure that Maori receive support. during the process “.
Director General of Health, Dr. Ashley Bloomfield, joined Dr. Clark at the press conference and said iwi was already complying with health regulations under alert level 3 for funerals and tangihanga, when the limit was 10 people, and are aware of the need to keep grieving people safe.
“The response I received from iwi leaders when I joined their Zoom meeting with them earlier today was that marare committees are well aware of the need to maintain protocols and keep people safe as part of the tangihanga, “says Dr. Bloomfield.
He added that there is no particular reason to limit tangihanga to one day, as they can often last for several days, and the main thing is that people maintain public health measures at these events.
