A BRADFORD safeguarding consultant is urging members of the district’s Muslim community to celebrate Eid with “caution and vigilance”, despite lockdown restrictions easing from tomorrow.

Eid al-Adha will be celebrated this week, coinciding with Step 4 of the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown.

Dr Javed Bashir, of Strengthening Faith Institutions, said that although celebrations will be taking place after the so-called ‘Freedom Day’, people should remain conscious of Covid and still try their best to stop the spread of the virus.

“Many will use this opportunity to reconnect with families, friends and neighbours who they have not seen for months, but it should be celebrated with caution and vigilance”, he said.

“Mosques and places of worship still have legal responsibilities to ensure a safe and healthy workplace for their staff, volunteers and worshippers, under health and safety regulations.

“During Eid prayers, it is important that people continue to practice social distancing, by maintaining a distance of at least one metre between people at all times.

“It is also important to regularly and thoroughly wash your hands and to use hand sanitiser.

“Mosques need to consider holding prayers outdoors, if possible, otherwise, they must ensure that the indoor venue has enough space to accommodate worshippers with appropriate physical distancing, as well as adequate ventilation and air flow.

‘If someone is feeling unwell or required to stay in isolation, they should not attend prayers. Older people and anyone with underlying medical conditions should also refrain from attending Eid prayers.

“In indoor settings where ventilation cannot be assessed or is known to be poor, or if the ventilation system is not properly maintained, masks should be worn by all, regardless of whether social distancing can be maintained.

“People need to keep social distancing both when seated and standing, including when praying, performing wudu (ritual ablutions) in communal washing facilities, as well as in areas dedicated to shoe storage.

“The mosque must also regulate the number and flow of people approaching, entering, attending and departing from worship spaces by staggering arrivals, registering attendees, marking the floor, employing security staff, separating entries and exits and adopting one-way pathways and corridors.

‘People should perform wudu at home where feasible, and mosques need to ensure that hand-washing facilities are adequately equipped with soap and water and provide hand sanitiser at key entry and exit points, and disposable tissues and bins with disposable liners and lids, and guarantee the safe disposal of waste.

“People should use their personal prayer rugs to place over communal carpets, and mosques should have signs of advice on social distancing, hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette, mask wearing and general messages on Covid-19 prevention.

“Mosques need to need to keep the premises and wudu facilities clean, maintain general hygiene and sanitation and frequently clean often-touched objects such as doorknobs, light switches and stair railings with detergents and disinfectant.

“If you haven’t had your vaccine yet, please do so as soon as possible and get your second dose to give longer lasting, stronger immunity.

“We will get out of this pandemic, but we can only do it if we keep working together, keeping cautious and being vigilant.”

If any places of worship need help with a Covid risk assessment, they can contact Dr Bashir via email, at javed@sfitogether.org.