New Eid Al-Adha Measures and Anticipated Increase in Family Coronavirus Outbreaks

The Ministry of Agriculture has taken new measures in the context of preparations for Eid Al-Adha, which coincides this year with the exceptional circumstances related to the Coronavirus pandemic. These measures include the publication of a guide detailing the preventive measures to be applied on Eid Day by citizens and butchers, as well as the measures to be observed at livestock markets, temporary markets, while strengthening the control of the transport of livestock destined for this festival in Morocco, without forgetting the seasonal activities associated with this religious festival.

All the competent services will be involved to ensure an appropriate implementation of emergency health measures. These measures are likely to ensure the smooth running of Eid Al-Adha celebrations in the context of Covid-19, in close coordination with all sectors, institutions, municipalities and professional organizations concerned.

It should be recalled that some political parties have suggested to the Government to cancel the Eid celebrations this year in order to avoid the spread of Covid-19. However, M. Aziz Akhenouch, Minister of Agriculture, stressed that Moroccans have been deprived of Eid al-Fitr because of the Coronavirus, but Eid al-Adha is special for them. Thus, he implied that it will not be cancelled and confirmed the existence of close cooperation between his ministry and the Ministry of Interior in order to effectively manage the Eid period and organize the movement of citizens on livestock markets during this occasion.

For their part, many health experts have indicated that cases of Coronavirus infection will increase during the Eid period or immediately after. This is due to the fact that Moroccan families gather in large numbers on this special occasion, which would lead to many family outbreaks of infection.

The high number of cases of infection recorded in recent days has led the Ministry of the Interior and Health to take a decision to prohibit the entry or exit of certain major cities in the Kingdom, which has led to the disruption of the flow of people wishing to spend Eid with their families.