Admn unlikely to allow congregational prayers
Irfan Tramboo
SRINAGAR, July 17: With Eid-ul-Azha just around the corner, the experts today impressed on the need for adhering to the COVID Appropriate Behaviour (CAB) particularly during the days of Eid that can offer the virus more chances to spread with unvaccinated people being of major concern.
Head of the Department, Social and Preventive Medicine, GMC Srinagar Dr M. Salim Khan told Excelsior that the people have already become complacent and are seen roaming around without masks and are thronging picnic spots.
“If the same attitude continues on Eid, there are all the chances that the COVID cases may increase. It needs to be taken care of on the eve of Eid, those who are fully vaccinated or have received at least one dose of the vaccine should only visit the relatives,” he said.
He underlined the need for adhering to CAB, because the complacent behaviour, he said, can put the individuals of the age-group18-45, who are currently being vaccinated, at risk.
“Namaz remains the main attraction on the day and the same should be offered in the open spaces as there would be less disease transmission that way,” he said.
Dr Aijaz Kaul of the Department of Medicine, SKIMS Soura also underlined the need of adhering to the CAB especially on the days of Eid keeping in view the chances of increased gatherings of people on the occasion.
“I believe there are issues with aggregation especially in closed unventilated areas where the virus spreads. Prayers can be held with physical distancing and in groups of 50 to 60 while,” he said.
About the Qurbani which is carried out during the Eid days, Dr Kaul said, “there are no issues with it “but the distribution of meat should be done with clean and scientific methods.”
Dr Nisar Ul Hassan of Department of Medicine GMC, Srinagar said that though there is a decrease in the number of COVID cases, “but that does not mean that the second wave is over, it is very well there, and there is a need for adhering to the SOPs,” he said.
“With the second wave on and the prediction of a possible third wave, coupled with variants and lot of people unvaccinated, the virus has chances to sneak in and the decline of the COVID case could see a reversal,” he added.
With regard to meat distribution, the experts stated that the people, who already are suffering from respiratory infection, or any other disease, should avoid doing so.
They also advised people to properly pack the meat which is meant for the distribution and the manual, uncovered handling of meat needs to be avoided.
The experts also urged people to get vaccinated against the COVID to get themselves an extra layer of protection against the virus.
Meanwhile, the officials have also hinted that it is unlikely to allow any large congregational prayers on the eve of Eid, while the people have been advised to adhere to the COVID SOPs and religiously follow the same, particularly during the Eid days.
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