People urged to buy sacrificial animals online

The Islamabad Capital Territory Administration (ICTA) has urged residents of the federal capital to follow precautionary guidelines against the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) when buying sacrificial animals during Eidul Azha, encouraging them to make their purchases online, from the safety of their homes.

The Islamabad administration issued a notification on Thursday regarding the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for Eidul Azha.

The circular termed the next three months as crucial, stating that while cases have slowed to less than 100 new cases per day - recording just 81 new cases in the past 24 hours as the city total rose to 13,731 cases with 142 associated deaths - there remains the possibility of another spike in cases.

It is important to refrain from mass gatherings in the next three months particularly during the first Islamic month, Muharram, to prevent another coronavirus wave, the notification warned.

Further, the district administration termed it mandatory to follow all precautionary standard operating procedures (SOPs) while visiting cattle markets to purchase sacrificial animals and offering congregational prayers on the religious festival.

It urged the people to buy animals online rather than physically going to the markets to minimise the chance of contracting the virus in a public gathering.

The ICTA also asked capital’s residents to opt for collective sacrifice through welfare organisations instead of individual sacrifice to reduce social interaction.

Welfare organisations take the money for the sacrificial animal, slaughter it, distribute the meat among the destitute and sell the skin to generate funds.

The notification said that animals should not be slaughtered in closed spaces such as compounds of homes and apartments and measures should be taken to stop the blood from flowing onto the streets. The notification suggested spreading sand at the sacrificial place to absorb the blood, It has also been emphasised to ensure special distancing when slaughtering sacrificial animals.

Regarding Eid prayers, the Islamabad administration suggested performing congregational prayers, at the same mosque, twice or thrice in case of shortage of space. All worshippers have been directed to wear facemasks and to avoid hugging each other after prayers.

SOPs for trading and transporting cattle across the federal capital in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic and risk of Congo fever, cattle markets should be established at designated points, at least two to five kilometre away from city limits.

Islamabad Metropolitan Corporation (IMC), ICTA, health department, and Ministry of Health Services Regulation and Coordination, were taking necessary measures to prevent and control the spread of the communicable diseases, like cholera, typhoid, Congo Crimean Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) and respiratory infections, said a hand out issued by Deputy Commissioner Hamza Shafqaat in his capacity as district magistrate.

However, the technical working group (TWG) recommended an increase in the number of cattle markets to manage the rush of traders and customers. The management of cattle markets must ensure controlled entry to the market and the parking area would be marked for distanced parking.

Only two people per vehicle would be allowed while the elderly and children would not be allowed to enter into the cattle markets.

The markets should ensure the provision of hand-hygiene facilities at entry points and multiple spots inside. No person would be allowed to enter without covering the face. Thermal scanning of staff and visitors at entry points by trained personnel should be ensured.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 10^th, 2020.