Eid congregations in K-P subject to SOPs implementation

PESHAWAR: Eidul Fitr prayers will be allowed in the mosques and other grounds of the province but they will be subject to standard preventive measures.

This was decided by the administration of all districts in the province on Friday. Deputy commissioners of all districts of the province held respective meetings on precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) disease and implementation of standard operating procedures (SOPs), in which the security situation during Eid and social distancing was discussed.

Decisions regarding the closure of tourist spots, ban on inter-district traffic, plan for traffic flow inside the city and gatherings and Eid prayers were discussed.

It was decided in the meeting that Eid prayers will be offered in mosques as well as Eidgahs so that no crowds will be created and social distancing will be maintained.

Moreover, inter-district traffic will be banned and tourists will be barred from entering the hill stations of Abbottabad, Swat and other tourist spots including Chamba Bridge, Muslimabad, Qalandarabad, Tinan, Thandiani Chowk, Murree Road, Harno Bridge and Barian, and Kalam.

Officials of the police, town municipal administration (TMA) staff and Rescue 1122 personnel will also man checkpoints.

All security and other staff will be provided with protective gloves, masks and other items.

For Galiyat, only permanent residents of the area will be allowed to travel beyond Harno (black soil) after showing their identity cards.

Citizens were requested to maintain social distance on the occasion of Eid, to avoid going to people’s homes, shaking hands and hugging.

Tourists were requested to stay at home.

While the staff of TMA and WASA will continue to fulfil their responsibilities over Eid, citizens were requested to dispose of garbage only in garbage bins.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 23^rd, 2020.