Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa on Thursday lifted the ban on funerals with stringent COVID-19 protocols as a measure to decongest mortuaries in the state.

Diri had in an Executive Order aimed at containing the spread of the Coronavirus, outlawed social activities like marriages, burials and social gatherings.

Diri who announced the approval on Thursday during a meeting of the Bayelsa COVID-19 Task Force which he chaired, directed the mortuaries to get an undertaking from residents to comply with the COVID-19 protocols.

According to the governor, such burials must be conducted without attracting crowds and devoid of receptions, adding that those who insist on conducting burials the usual way should wait till the COVID-19 pandemic is over.

“The approval is subject to obtaining of guarantees and undertaking from families willing to bury relatives to ensure strict compliance with protocols for COVID-19 prevention, avoiding crowd and observing social distancing.

“Anyone who insists on conducting burials with overnight and daylight parties with ‘Owoigiri Dances’ should wait until the Coronovirus leaves us,” Diri said