Eid-Ul-Adha and Qurbani Safe practices During this COVID-19 Pandamic- M.A.Aleem Trustee Natharvali Dargha Trichy and Neurologist Trichy Tamilnadu India

Eid-Ul-Adha Safe practices During this COVID-19 Pandamic

- M.A.Aleem Neurologist Trichy Tamilnadu India 

This year  Eid-Ul-Adha  festival of sacrifice is to be celebrated amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic , when more states in India including Tamilnadu have barred the religious and social gatherings in Mosques and in Eid ground on 1st August 2020.

It is better to pray at home  like in Eid-Ul-Fitr two months ago with socital distancing and to adopt a safety Qurbani. 

Wishes and greeting without contact      is good by saying salam,waving hand , placing the hand on heart , and by gesturing to prevent COVID-19 spread 

The ritual of `qurbani' (sacrifice of animal) can  be conducted and distributed with self hygiene and adopting social distancing. 

The Eid- Ul-Adha 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.

The COVID-19 virus spreads primarily by human-to-human transmission of secretions of saliva and respiratory droplets, which
are produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, speaks, or sings. Infection can also occur when individuals touch
contaminated surfaces and then the eyes, nose or mouth before cleaning their hands.

There is also evidence of COVID-19 transmission at the human-animal interface. Current evidence suggests that humans infected
with SARS-CoV-2 can infect other mammals, including dogs, cats, and farmed mink. However, it remains unclear whether or not
these infected mammals pose a significant risk for transmission back to humans.

Nevertheless, other zoonotic diseases are
associated with livestock and have resulted in disease outbreaks.

Several countries including India have implemented physical and social distancing measures aimed at interrupting transmission by reducing
interaction between people, such as the closing of mosques, monitoring of public gatherings and other restrictions on movement
and gatherings. 

These measures are fundamental control mechanisms to control the spread of infectious diseases, particularly
respiratory infections, associated with large gatherings of people. These measures are gradually relaxing in most countries where
the virus has been brought under control; but, in some situations, increases in cases have been subsequently observed.

 Increased
numbers of COVID-19 cases associated with and in parallel to Ramadan activities this year, particularly during family visits,
congregate prayers and gatherings have been seen across countries in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.and in other region.

Social and religious gatherings and animal slaughter are central to Eid- Ul-Adha . Hence, preventive measures are required to promote behavioural messages and encourage adoption of key measures to prevent and minimize the
spread of the infection during this COVID-19 Pandemic. 

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PRAYER AT HOME

It is advisable to pray at home with social distancing. 

Advice on physical distancing

• Practice physical distancing by strictly maintaining a distance of at least 1 metre between people at all times.

• Along with the physical distancing  wearing also a fabric mask is recommended.

• 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 activities, such as markets, shops and 

mosques and Eid ground. 

• Try to Restrict social gatherings, both public and private, and encourage the use of technology for prayer meeting and greeting people to 

mitigate transmission.

• Consider closing of entertainment venues, particularly indoor venues, during Eid to avoid the mass gathering of people. 

Advice to high-risk groups

• Urge people who are feeling unwell or have any symptoms of COVID-19 to avoid attending events and follow the national 

guidance on follow-up and management of suspected cases of COVID-19.

• Urge individuals aged 60 years and older and anyone with pre-existing medical conditions (such as diabetes, hypertension, 

cardiac disease, chronic lung disease, cerebrovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, immunosuppression and cancer

) not 

to attend gatherings, as they are at a higher risk of severe disease and death from COVID-19.

Mitigation measures for physical gatherings

The following measures should be applied to any gathering occurring during Eid al Adha, such as prayers, communal meals 

banquets and Qurbani distribution. 

Venue for prayers 

• Ensure that the indoor venue has adequate ventilation and air flow.

• 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.

• Adhere to physical distancing among attendees, both when seated and standing, through creating and assigning fixed places, 

including when praying, performing wudu (ritual ablutions) in communal washing facilities, as well as in areas dedicated to 

shoe storage.

• Regulate the number and flow of people entering, attending, and departing from worship spaces, or other venues to ensure 

safe distancing at all times.

Encourage healthy hygiene

• 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 of praying spaces 

• 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.

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Need Safe Qurbani during  Eid-Ul-Adha 2020

Animal-Human Interface and Sacrificial Slaughter

The source of the coronaviru  has not yet been identified. Understanding which animal species are most susceptible to the
virus is important in discovering potential animal reservoirs to mitigate transmission and future outbreaks.
According to common safe practices when handling meat, countries should take strict measures around the selling and
slaughtering of animals and the distribution of meat while ensuring that national food safety and hygiene regulations are enforced.

Animal Management

• Encourage and enforce proper procurement of animals to abide by safety standards, especially for importation of
livestock.
• Allocate enough space in dedicated enclosures to safely house an increased influx of animals and avoid unsanitary
overcrowding in anticipation of the slaughter.
• Do not slaughter animals that appear sick, and plan for dedicated space for quarantine and isolation of suspected ill
animals.

• Always procure animals through a trusted  procedure.

Processing Facilities

• Discourage slaughter at home and increase the number or capacity of slaughter facilities to encourage best practices and
ensure safety and physical distancing standards, for both public and staff.
• Slaughter facilities and equipment should be properly maintained and kept hygienic.

• Ensure that facility staff are practicing physical distancing, hand hygiene, proper cough etiquette, and are using adequate
protective measures while processing animals. Staff should be aware of COVID-19 signs and symptoms.

• Waste management for unused animal by-products should be in place and facilities should have a contingency plan in the
event of contamination or an outbreak.

Charity

When the faithful distribute meat, consider the physical distancing measures in place and encourage nominating one household
member to perform and order the sacrifice. Better 

To avoid the crowded gathering
associated with distribution of meat, which should adhere to physical
distancing throughout the whole cycle (collecting, packaging,  and distribution).

While distributing the Qurbani meat ,Cover your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately and wash
your hands. Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth.

Meat shops 
• During Eid-Ul-Adha day Meat shops should Provide basic infrastructure to promote sanitation, such as toilet and hand washing facilities, safe water supplies,
cleanable walls and floors, and drainage.