The World Health Organization (WHO) has published its recommendations for Christian and Muslim religious gatherings a few days before the start of Easter, Pesach and the month of Ramadan.
To prevent the risk of coronavirus contamination as religious communities are about to meet for several days to celebrate Pesach for Jews, Easter for Christians and the month of Ramadan for Muslims, where prayers lengthen in the evening, the WHO has called for these meetings to be held outdoors in countries where gatherings are permitted.
“In countries facing a significant circulation of the virus, virtual meetings, postponement or reduction of the size of these gatherings should be seriously considered,” the WHO Europe section wrote in a statement encompassing the religious spring holidays.
“Any religious service should take place outdoors when possible or be limited in size or duration, with social distancing, ventilation, hand hygiene and the use of masks” recommends the health policeman.
These indications come as Holy Week for Christians is due to end and Easter is due to begin on Sunday, a time when the faithful travel a lot to join their families.
“A better option is for people to celebrate with those with whom they live,” said the WHO to avoid meetings outside the same household. The UN organization recalls that indoor group meetings are “particularly risky” and that even small gatherings are.
As a reminder, the feast of Passover, or Jewish Easter, is held from March 27 to April 4, at the same time as Easter among Christians (April 4), while Ramadan must begin on April 12 (or April 13 and is scheduled to last until May 12.
