Worried by the increase in the number of Covid-19 cases in the country and the FCT and the possibility of a third wave, the Minister of FCT, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has issued guidelines for the upcoming Eid-El-Kabir celebrations in the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT).
The guidelines was issued after a meeting of the FCT Emergency Operations Committee (EOC) on Covid-19, chaired by the Minister on Friday, to review the current situation of the pandemic in the FCT especially as it relates to the upcoming Sallah celebrations.
From its deliberations, the meeting noted the increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in the country and the FCT and the possibility of a third wave and sought for ways to curtail its spread.
In a statement, by the Chief Press Secretary of FCT, Anthony Ogunleye, the stance was guided by the advice of the health professionals.
It stated: All Eid prayers in the FCT are to be held in the open spaces at Jumaat Mosques as well as the National Eid Ground. This is based on medical advice that it is safer to hold large gatherings in open air spaces than in enclosed structures.
All open Eid grounds should have multiple entry and exit points with hand washing and temperature checking facilities.
The holding capacity of Eid grounds should be reduced to 50% to ensure physical/social distancing.
Also, Imams should ensure that sermons are short so that the entire Eid prayers do not exceed one hour.
According to the statement, all parks and recreational grounds and facilities shall remain closed throughout the festive period,
Accordingly, worshippers are enjoined to adhere to all prescribed non-pharmaceutical preventive measures of facial coverings, constant hand washing and physical distancing.
