With Uganda’s COVID-19 infections and deaths spiking to worrying figures, the ministry of Health has banned the signing of condolence books at funerals, a practice that has been popularized by funeral service providers.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Dr. Henry Mwebesa, the director-general of health services, says such books and pens have been deemed superspreaders by researchers since SARS-COV–2, the virus that causes COVID-19 can last up to five days on such surfaces.

“The ministry of Health strongly advises all bereaved families and funeral service companies to STOP giving condolence books at homes or other places of mourning for mourners to sign in. Evidence has shown that the coronavirus lasts on surfaces such as paper for up to 5 days and therefore the condolence books and pens are a super spreader of the virus,” says Mwebesa in the statement.

Adding: “The ministry would strongly urge the public to stop signing condolence and visitors books during funerals and other events in order to prevent the potential spread of COVID-19 among communities.”

Uganda has so far registered 25,000 positive COVID-19 cases, 9500 of which, have since recovered, according to the Health ministry.