The National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) has released Eid-ul-Fitr prayer guidelines to contain the spread of coronavirus, the body said in a statement Tuesday.
Today’s session was chaired by Federal Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar. Dr. Faisal Sultan, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health, also joined the session via video connection.
The National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) has released Eid-ul-Fitr prayer guidelines to contain the spread of coronavirus, the body said in a statement Tuesday.
Today’s session was chaired by Federal Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar. Dr. Faisal Sultan, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health, also joined the session via video connection.
They convened the meeting to conduct a study of mobility control measures in effect throughout the country from May 8-16.
“In light of the continuing restrictions in place until May 16, 2021, [the] forum urged for increased national resolve by adhering to SOPs to contain the pandemic’s spread,” the NCOC said in a statement.
The forum urged the nation to remain united and steadfast in supporting these measures taken for the Pakistani people’s well-being.
The recommendations are as follows: – Eid prayers should be held in open areas following COVID protocols. If a person is compelled to pray in a mosque, windows and doors should be kept open to allow for ventilation.
– Eid prayers should be held in 2-3 shifts at a single location, with staggered timings to ensure maximum attendance.
– Efforts should be made to limit the length of the sermon (khutba) to minimize publicity.
– Discourage the disabled, elderly, and children under the age of 15 from praying.
We must wear-Face masks at all times.
– Several entries and exit points in the prayer venue to prevent crowding.
– Thermal scanning at the points of entry.
– Hand sanitizers are available and used at entrances and exits.
– At the site, six-foot social distancing markers.
– Devotees are encouraged to carry their prayer mats.
– Encourage individuals to conduct wudhu/ablution at their residences
– Discourage socializing and handshakes at the prayer location following the service.
– There will be no meeting before or after prayer.
– As part of the awareness campaign, banners/panaflexes highlighting COVID-19 protocols should be displayed prominently in the venue.
– Well-designed parking lots should be able to accommodate crowds.
Remain at home and healthy
The NCOC announced last month that from May 8-16, it would issue detailed “stay home, stay safe” recommendations to help contain the spread of the virus.
During this period, the NCOC had ordered Chaand Raat bazaars, shopping malls, public spaces, and recreational areas. The NCOC stated that the prohibition on Chaand Raat bazaars includes mehndi, jewelry/ornaments, and clothing stalls.
“The current COVID-19 outbreak in the country justifies effective measures to halt its spread, with a particular focus on reducing mobility during the upcoming Eid-Ul-Fitr,” the NCOC said in a statement.
All markets, companies, and shops will be closed except for those providing critical services, which include the following:
– Supermarkets
– Pharmacies
– Hospitals and vaccine centers
– Produce, fruit, chicken, and meat markets
– Confectioneries
– Petrol stations
– Food delivery services and e-commerce (Home Delivery)
– Utilities (electricity, natural gas, internet, cellular/telecom networks, call centers) and media.
Locals and foreigners alike will be subject to a total ban on tourism.
All tourist resorts, organized and unorganized picnic areas, public parks, and shopping malls will be closed. In addition, both hotels and restaurants in the vicinity of tourist and picnic areas will be closed.
“Travel nodes leading to tourist/picnic destinations closed; focus on Murree, Galiyat, Swat-Kalam, Sea View/beaches, and Northern Areas and other tourist destinations,” the statement read.
Residents, especially those from Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, will be permitted to return home, the statement said.
There will be no inter-provincial, inter-city, or intra-city public transport except for private cars, taxis, and rickshaws with a minimum of 50% occupancy.
“We will add additional trains to handle the increased passenger load until May 7, at which point regular train service will resume. Therefore, 70% occupancy combined with stringent COVID SOPs [should] be the target “ured,” the NCOC said.