We have been informed by Public Health England that there is "currently no reliable data on how long" the Covid-19 virus can persist under refrigeration conditions. This should not preclude refrigeration and the body should be considered a potential source of infection while deceased individuals remain in the care environment whether refrigerated or not. Therefore, the appropriate PPE should be worn when handling the deceased.

Therefore viewing of the body for mourners, because of the requirement to open and unseal the body bags and the resultant risk of transmission, is not recommended.

Viewing should be performed before the body is sealed in the body bag i.e. in the ward or bedside environment. In hospital mortuary areas where strict controls (restricting contact with the diseased and maintaining a safe distance) are in place, as well as the capacity to disinfect the area, viewing may be allowed

In order to spare families any additional distress, consideration must be given to jewellery, religious articles, mementoes and keepsakes. If it is the wish of the patient and/or family that these items remain on the body, then that can happen. If it is the patients and/or the families wish to retain such items, then they should be removed at the time of care immediately after death, and prior to insertion into a body bag. These items will need to undergo appropriate decontamination processes before being returned to the family, unless their composition precludes decontamination. In this case, if these items must be retained by the family, they should be warned of the risks, the items placed in a sealed container which should remain closed for at least 7 days.