India News | Kashmiri Expert Warns Against Unvaccinated Butchers Ahead of Eid

Srinagar, Jul 19 (PTI) A community medicine expert in Kashmir on Monday advised Muslims to get their sacrificial animals slaughtered on Eid al-Adha by the butchers who have been vaccinated.

"Only vaccinated individuals should undertake slaughtering, sacrificing of animals and distribution of meat," said M Salim Khan, professor and head of department of community medicine at Government Medical College, Srinagar.

"Unvaccinated butchers have every chance to get infected while visiting multiple houses to deliver their services and will thus act as a source to spread infection among other families," Khan said, adding only vaccinated members of a family should come in contact with the sacrificial animals and ensure that they follow SOPs like wear masks and maintain physical distance.

In view of increase in interactions, social and religious gatherings besides other activities like slaughtering and distribution of meat on Eid al-Adha, Khan said violation of COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) was a matter of deep concern and may lead to the spread of virus.

Khan also advised that children should be kept away at the time of performing the ritual of animal sacrifice, as children are not vaccinated yet.

He suggested that only vaccinated persons should handle the affairs of distribution of meat to other families in the neighborhood or with relatives.

The Professor cautioned that violation of Covid guidelines by individuals who are directly related to sacrificing and distribution of meat might become the cause of the possible third wave.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)