Eid ul Azha is hardly a week away and there is a general fear that the prevalence of Covid-19 cases might rise if the mistakes made during the run up to and during Eid ul Fitr are repeated. On that occasion, standard operating procedures (SOPs) worked out to reduce the risk of infections, and social distancing rules were largely violated. The consequences are a matter of record.

People thronged to markets, shopping centres and malls in large crowds before Eid ul Fitr, with many least concerned about precautionary measures. Government authorities and healthcare professionals closely observing the virus trends noticed a spike in new cases. Later, these were to be attributed to the careless and irresponsible behaviour of the citizens.

As Eid ul Azha approaches, the government is preparing to ensure that a repeat of Eid ul Fitr does not take place. This Eid, the SOPs take more aspects into account. There are instructions about the setting up of cattle markets at designated places; compulsory wearing of masks by sellers of sacrificial animals as well as customers coming in to buy these animals; maintenance of safe distance between sellers and buyers; slaughter of animals; arrangements for Eid prayers; and distribution of meat.

The SOPs and guidelines shared by the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) finalised after consultation with stakeholders are detailed and cross-cutting. For example, it has been suggested that cattle markets shall be two to five kilometres away from municipal limits; shall be larger in size and laid out according to the plan provided by the authorities; must have staff deployed to check temperature of customers with thermal guns; and host camps where Livestock Department officials are present to ensure compliance of certain SOPs. It has been suggested that children and the elderly not be allowed into cattle markets. Anybody suspected of having contracted the virus is to be referred to the concerned district health authority (DHA) for testing. Eateries, food stalls and food service tables are not allowed and only packed food is allowed in cattle markets.

Regarding slaughter of sacrificial animals, there are proposals for central/collective sacrifice through various public and private organisations as it is believed that the SOPs can be followed more efficiently this way.

Malik Iftikhar Waseem, president of the All Pakistan Butchers’ Welfare Association tells The News on Sunday that they have been in talks with the district authorities for the establishment of camps for holding and slaughter of sacrificial animals purchased by people in areas with high incidence of Covid-19. He says 17 spots have been identified to keep animals till Eid ul Azha, slaughter them there and deliver meat to respective owners. Waseem says this is not a novel practice as certain housing societies have been doing this in the past. But, the plan, he says, has not been finalised yet. Captain (retd) Saif Anjum, the former commissioner of Lahore, who was taking interest in this idea, he says, has been transferred.

Shahid Sheikh, a trader in the bustling Baghbanpura Main Bazaar, thinks the customer traffic in markets and shopping centres this time around will not match that ahead of Eid ul Fitr because the spending on this occasion (Eid ul Azha) is mostly on the purchase of sacrificial animals. Also, he says, the circumstances are different. “On Eid ul Fitr, markets and shopping areas had opened after a long closure and the demand for various goods and services had built up. But for almost two months now the bazaars have been open and people have been making their regular purchases. A rush of customers is thus less likely.”

Imran Ahmed, a customer visiting a cattle market, says the instructions look good on paper but their implementation is going to require a major effort. He says he has witnessed several violations of SOPs, including children running around the market and only a fraction of visitors wearing masks and maintaining the recommended physical distance. “People just come around out of curiosity as prospective buyers negotiate price of animals with sellers standing right next to them,” he says.

The instructions about Eid prayers are similar to those spelled out for Eid ul Fitr. For example, people must perform their ablution at home before coming for prayers; they must keep the recommended distance from one another during prayers; mosques must close no later than 10 minutes after the prayers; the sermons should include precautions with regard to the virus; windows and doors of the mosques should be kept open for good ventilation during the duration of the prayer; there should be no carpets or mats in mosques; restrooms and ablution sections must be closed; and there should be no handshakes and hugs after the prayers.

Citizens have also been advised not to travel needlessly and to stay at home, avoid large gatherings and parties, and be careful while distributing meat.

Dr Asif Rafiq, a spokesman for the Punjab Livestock Department, tells TNS that they are ensuring safety instructions are followed strictly at the cattle markets. He says while there is no evidence of sacrificial animals carrying the virus, the department is being cautious and spraying them to protect them from ticks. Rafiq says they have advised people not to allow butchers and their helpers indoors if they are not wearing masks, and to provide these if they do not have them. They must also be asked to wash their hands, feet and the tools they will be using before starting their work and must be made to sit at a safe distance from one another and from members of the household.

There has been talk of some ambitious plans like mandatory Covid tests for butchers offering their services during Eid ul Azha. The plan was announced by government officials in Gujrat. But it does seem hard to implement in view of the large number of butchers and their helpers.