The Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) has reminded visitors to Sydney cemeteries to abide by NSW Health orders to protect against the spread of COVID-19.
Chairman for Cemeteries and Crematoria NSW (CCNSW), Stepan Kerkyasharian said cemeteries remained open to the public during lockdown but with conditions in place.
“We welcome the clarification of rules relating to cemetery visits by NSW Police and NSW Health and ask all visitors to be vigilant in abiding by all health requirements,” Dr Kerkyasharian said.
“We appreciate the desire for people to visit the gravesites of loved ones, and for the practices and beliefs of all religious and cultural groups to be respected and accommodated wherever possible,” he said.
“CCNSW has been working with cemetery operators, funeral directors and representatives of various faith groups to ensure COVID-safe practices are in place at Sydney cemeteries and are being monitored on site.”
Dr Kerkyasharian said people visiting cemeteries needed to abide by public health orders, the measures of which were that a maximum of two people from different households were permitted to visit a gravesite together for compassionate reasons; a group of people who live in the same household may gather outdoors; no more than 10 people can attend funeral and memorial services in Greater Sydney not counting those conducting the service; masks must be worn (including outdoors) with cemetery visitors maintaining adequate social distancing; and residents should monitor the latest NSW Health orders in their area.
He said there were also restrictions on where someone could travel to attend a funeral.
Information on NSW Public Health Orders can be accessed at this PS News link.
