Coronavirus: Pakistan bans livestock markets ahead of Eid al-Adha Islamic holiday

Pakistani authorities are banning open-air livestock markets in cities for the upcoming Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, or “Feast of Sacrifice,” to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

However, people will be allowed to buy and sell sacrificial animals at the designated 700 markets, which will be set up on the outskirts of cities across the country. These markets will only remain open from dawn to dusk.

Monday’s move comes as Pakistan reported 69 more COVID-19 deaths, taking total fatalities to 5,266.

For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.

A livestock market in Peshawar, Pakistan, July 4, 2020, ahead of Eid al-Adha. (AP)

Pakistan now has 251,625 confirmed cases and the decision to ban open-air cattle markets within the cities was announced at a meeting of National Command and Control Center, which supervises country’s response to the virus.

It said all the buyers and sellers of sacrificial animals must adhere to social distancing regulations.

Eid-al Adha will be celebrated in Pakistan on July 31, subject to the sighting of the moon.

During the three-day holiday, Muslims across the world slaughter livestock and distribute part of the meat to the poor.

A livestock market in Peshawar, Pakistan, July 4, 2020, ahead of Eid al-Adha. (AP)

Read more:

Coronavirus: Qatar Airways makes COVID-19 test mandatory for Pakistan flights

Coronavirus: Pakistan’s daily COVID-19 drops, experts blame fewer tests

Coronavirus: Bahrain-Saudi Arabia King Fahd bridge to reopen after Eid, says report