The festive of Eid-ul-Fitr is a joyous occasion which we celebrate with our loved ones. However, for the second year in a row, we will be spending the day rather differently under unusual circumstances as we are still amidst the third wave of the pandemic.
The government has announced extended Eid holidays aimed at restricting movements. Normally thousands of people head to their native areas to celebrate Eid or use the occasion for recreation. This time around, the government has completely shut down inter-city transport, reduced rail services and even curtailed the number of airlines.
All tourist spots have been closed and many cities could go in complete lockdown. Eid shopping would be severely affected as commercial centres, markets and malls would be closed. The reduced timing during Ramazan have already affected our lives as we buy essential items early on. These measures are aimed at ensuring that the health crisis does not worsen in the country.
The government has stated that the next few weeks are crucial and it is now our responsibility to adhere to safety precautions. Yet, we are bound to witness laxity given that we have been given more idle time due to the holidays. Law-enforcements are often unable to control large crowds not following rules and any strictness leads to even worse reaction. There are numerous occasions when traders have resisted calls for closure and have sparred with authorities.
It should be mentioned that it is small gatherings that act as ‘super spreaders’ rather than large events. These are more usual during Eid when people meet their friends, families and close relatives. Even during the pandemic, we have seen how private gatherings such as birthdays, receptions and even musical events were celebrated either by the elite or the masses who were least concerned about the situation.
It is imperative that we realise the gravity of the situation and spend Eid confined to our homes and families. Perhaps we can extend our Eid greetings by calling our loved ones. We owe it to ourselves, those around us and even our nation to act responsibly before the situation goes out of control and we would have no one to blame but ourselves.
