Human remains being repatriated into Samoa must now all be embalmed under new Ministry of Health alterations to current restrictions.
MOH Assistant Chief Executive Tagaloa Dr Robert Thomsen said the new restrictions were to ensure the safety of the general public from the COVID-19 global pandemic.
He warned that there are other actions the ministry may have to take if corpses fail to meet the new requirements.
‘’One of the possible exercises practiced if this happens is burying the corpse straight after arrival without the usual services and ceremony,’’ he said.
The doctor said documentation is also important and should include a copy of the deceased’s passport, a national identification or birth certificate.
A death certificate including cause of death, and an embalming certificate must be made available to authorities before repatriation.
Families of the deceased will have only 24 hours after arrival to bury the repatriated body.
Anyone who dies from coronavirus overseas will not be allowed to be repatriated to Samoa.
