28 July 2020 – On the occasion of the Muslim feast of Eid al-Adha, WHO has issued interim guidance entitled "Eid al-Adha safe practices in the context of COVID-19 pandemic". The document highlights public health advice for social and religious practices and gatherings during Eid al-Adha that can be applied across different national contexts.
The guidance informs individuals, families, communities and governments on how to make this religious occasion safer and encourages adoption of key measures to prevent and minimize the spread of the COVID-19 infection. The guidance focuses on social gatherings, physical distancing, animal-human interface and sacrificial slaughter, prayers and charity.
The guidance recommends avoiding large numbers of people gathering in public places, strictly maintaining a distance of at least 1 metre between people, and/or to wearing a fabric mask, discouraging slaughter at home and increasing the number or capacity of slaughter facilities, and encouraging good hygiene practices.
WHO recommends that any decision to restrict, modify, postpone, cancel, or proceed with a mass gathering during Eid al-Adha should be based on a standardized risk assessment exercise, taking into account current epidemiological trends, capacities and resources.
Safe Eid al Adha practices in the context of COVID-19