The religious affairs ministry yesterday issued an eight-point instruction, including keeping soap or hand sanitiser at the entrance of every mosque and maintaining social distancing during Eid prayers.

Eid-ul-Azha, the second biggest religious festival of Muslims, will be celebrated across the country on July 10 with due solemnity, religious fervour and zeal.

The ministry has come up with the guidelines following an increase of Covid-19 cases in the country.

In this regard, the local administration, law enforcement agencies, local public representative and respective mosque committees were requested to look into the issue so that people abide by proper health guidelines.

According to the instructions, carpets cannot be laid in the mosques during prayers. The entire mosque should be cleaned and disinfected before prayers.

Everyone is requested to bring their own prayer mats to the mosque.

Besides, people will have to perform ablution at home, and they will have to wear masks before going to mosques.

Prayer caps and mats kept inside mosques should be avoided.

The ministry requested all not to be involved in any lighting on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha.

The main Eid congregation will be held at the capital's Eidgah Maidan at 8:00am if weather remains favourable.

In case of bad weather, the main Eid jamaat will be held at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque at 8:30am.