With the four-day weekend approaching, and while we are all geared up for the Eid Al-Adha celebrations, the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) has announced a number of Covid-19 safety protocols via a televised briefing on Monday.
As per the regulations, the duration of the Eid prayer and sermon has been cut down to 20 minutes while the worshippers will have to wear masks and maintain a distance of at least one meter, with the use of personal mats or disposable mats recommended.
According to the authorities, mosques will be open to the public after the dawn prayers on Eid day, although entry and exit to places of worship will be supervised to prevent over-crowding, while parks and other areas nearby will be used to accommodate additional worshippers.
Furthermore, stickers will be placed across the outdoor spaces around the mosques with the message to follow physical distancing and the NCEMA also urged worshippers to avoid gatherings, physical greetings, and handshakes before and after prayers.
In an attempt to limit the spread of the virus, authorities have also recommended citizens have an active green pass on the Al-Hosn app or undergo a PCR test 72 hours before Eid, to ensure the health and safety of everyone. Moreover, it was also recommended to people to use electronic alternatives for giving Eid presents and limit celebrations to immediate family members and relatives, while the public was asked to adhere to the safety measures to keep the spread in control.
Eid-al-Adha will fall on Saturday, July 9 in the UAE. The Dhu Al-Hijjah crescent moon was sighted on the evening of June 29 in Saudi Arabia, according to the Kingdom’s Supreme Court, which marks the beginning of Hajj on July 7, followed by Eid Al Adha on Saturday, July 9. Work for the public and private sectors will resume on Tuesday, July 12.