Relatives of Senegalese nationals, who have died from Covid-19 abroad, may turn to the country's courts, as their government is refusing to allow for the bodies of their loved, to return home for burials and religious ceremonies.

The families want to hold religious ceremonies on home soil to bury their love ones, but the government has ruled out repatriating bodies to stem the spread of the virus.

A relative of one of the deceased in Italy Tamsir Ousmane Ba, said this has left bodies stranded in some cases for weeks, and grieving family members "distressed”.

The family members said around 80 Senegalese have died from Covid-19 overseas, including 40 in France alone.

The foreign ministry estimates that a total of 67 Senegalese citizens; have died from coronavirus worldwide.

The government is maintaining its decision, not to repatriate bodies of Senegalese citizens who died in other countries.