UP Bakrid Guidelines: Only 50 People Allowed At One Venue For Celebration - Know More

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath chaired a meeting with senior officials to review the COVID-19 situation in Uttar Pradesh and directed them to make all necessary arrangements in view of the festival.

File Photo

Lucknow: In view of preventing COVID-19 spread, the Uttar Pradesh state government has issued fresh directives ahead of Bakrid.

As per the order issued on Monday, the government has prohibited gatherings of more than 50 people at any place to celebrate on the occasion of Bakrid.

The government also gave a directive against animal sacrifice at public places in the state. While not more than 50 people should gather at any place at a given time for any event related to Bakrid, officials also need to ensure that no cow, camel or any other banned animal is sacrificed anywhere.

Only designated places or private premises have to be used for animal sacrifices and special care needs be taken for cleanliness, the order states.

The festival is scheduled to be celebrated later this week. It may be observed on July 20 or July 21, depending on the moon's sight.

An official spokesperson revealed that Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath chaired a meeting with senior officials to review the COVID-19 situation in Uttar Pradesh and directed them to make all necessary arrangements in view of the festival.

Before this, the Andhra Pradesh government on Friday issued guidelines to be followed during Eid-ul-Azha (Bakrid) Eid prayers. In order to avoid large congregations, Eid-ul-Adha (Bakrid) prayers shall not be performed in Eidgahs or at open places. Prayers must only be performed in Masjids (mosques) confining with the 50 percent occupancy following social distancing norms. It further stated that wearing a mask is mandatory and no one shall be allowed without a mask.

The government advised devotees to carry their own prayer mat to the mosque. Imams and Khateebs have been requested to make the Eid Khutbah (sermons) short. In a bid to curtail the spread of the virus, it also appealed to the people with cough, cold or fever to perform the Eid prayers at their homes.

People suffering from diabetes, high BP and other coronary heart ailments have also been advised the same. In addition, the state government advised avoiding meeting relatives, Eid-milap programs, handshaking (Musafa), hugging with each other etc, in order to delink the spread of the virus.

(With inputs from agencies)