Dhaka outlines Eid protocol amid rising Covid 19 cases

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Amid a second Covid 19 wave, Bangladesh has laid strict rules for the upcoming Eid celebrations. The government has urged its citizens to offer Eid prayers at mosques instead of Eidgah or open spaces much like last year. The Ministry of Religious Affairs has said that it is critical for citizens to follow the right health guidelines amid the pandemic. Eid is expected to be celebrated on May 13. </p>
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Twenty people will be allowed to perform jamaat at a time, Dhaka Tribune (DT) said. Not just that people have been asked to avoid hugging and shaking hands after offering prayers.</p>
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The report published by DT said that mosques must be cleaned with disinfectants before the prayers. No carpets will be laid during Eid Jamaat.</p>
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The worshipers would have to bring their own prayer mats and caps. Besides mosques will have to provide soaps and hand sanitizer. Besides people coming to the mosques will have to wear masks and strictly follow social distancing norms.</p>
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The DT report said that though “the Islamic Shari’ah encourages performing the Eid-ul-Fitr prayers in congregation at the Eidgah or in an open space but at present the risk of coronavirus infection is very high.”</p>
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Meanwhile, the Sheikh Hasina government, which had imposed a stringent lockdown on April 5, eased the restrictions in the wake of the upcoming festival. Speaking at the 77th session of the UN-ESCAP (Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific that was held virtually, Hasina said that the developed world and the development partners' must join hands to ensure quick recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.</p>