The Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19 in the country has advised Muslims to follow all precautionary measures against COVID-19 when they will be celebrating Eid-ul-Adha tommorow.
According to the Taskforce’s Co-Chairperson, Dr John Phuka it is essential for the Muslim community to follow the precautionary measures if we are to win the fight against the pandemic.
“As you are aware that any day from today, our brothers and sisters from the Muslim community will be cerebrating Eid al Adha, which is a festival marked by social and religious gatherings where Muslim families and friends unite to pray together and give alms, especially in the form of sacrificed animal meat,”
“In order to ensure that the public is protected during this festival, I would like to appeal to everyone to ensure that they follow all the necessary public health advice for social, religious practices and gatherings,” Dr Phuka says.
BELOW ARE SOME OF THE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES THAT MUST BE FOLLOWED;
• Practicing physical distancing by strictly maintaining a distance of not less than 1 metre between people at all times.
• If physical distancing cannot be achieved, wear a cloth mask. Practice hand hygiene when wearing, removing and disposing masks.
• Use culturally and religiously sanctioned greetings that avoid physical contact, such as waving, nodding, or placing the hand over the heart.
• Prohibit large numbers of people gathering in public places associated with Eid al Adha activities, such as markets, shops and mosques.
• Individuals who are over 60 years or older, those with pre-existing medical conditions (such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiac disease, chronic lung disease, cerebrovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, immunosuppression and cancer) should not to attend festival gatherings, as they are at a higher risk of severe disease and death from COVID-19.
• Consider holding the event outdoors.
• Shorten the length of the event as much as possible to limit potential exposure between people.
• Give preference to holding smaller services with fewer attendees more often, rather than hosting large gatherings.
• Regulate the number and flow of people entering, attending, and departing from worship spaces, or other venues to ensure safe distancing at all times.
• Ensure that handwashing facilities are adequately equipped with soap and water and provide alcohol-based hand-rub (at least 70% alcohol) at the entrance to
and inside mosques.
• Ensure the availability of disposable tissues and bins with closed lids and disposable liners, and guarantee the safe disposal of waste.
• Encourage the use of personal prayer rugs to place over carpets.
• Ensure practicing respiratory hygiene such as covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing Stay home, Stay safe and help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
