CHAIRMAN: DR. KHALID BIN THANI AL THANI
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: DR. KHALID BIN MUBARAK AL-SHAFI

Views /Editorial

Ensuring safe Eid celebrations

Published: 14 May 2021 - 12:24 pm | Last Updated: 25 Mar 2025 - 10:43 am

THE Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) yesterday reported 299 new coronavirus cases (COVID-19), a remarkable dip in positive cases in the last couple of months. Almost 800 people recovered during the previous 24 hours, bringing the number of people recovered in Qatar to 205,160.

The total number of vaccine doses administered since the start of the vaccination campaign is 1,944,628, while 32,965 doses were administered in 24 hours. For the second time, the Eid Al Fitr celebrations will be minimal due to the global pandemic. After the Holy Month of Ramadan, this joyous festival represents a chance to reconnect with family and friends amid our busy lives by coming together to share food and exchange gifts.

Recently, there have been many small gatherings in confined spaces that add to a virtual global superspreader event. However, people should exercise caution and make responsible decisions to not undo the great work of the healthcare workers and the government through the MoPH, Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC), and Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC).

Qatar’s management of the pandemic has been a tale of foresightedness, robust public health infrastructure, and the government readiness to implement measures to protect citizens and residents.

Last year’s festivities during Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha were linked to a rapid increase in COVID-19 cases between July and September in several Muslim-majority countries.

Despite muted celebrations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many families still chose to come together. An intimate gathering of loved ones where people mingle freely may pose a graver threat than local contact at a large crowd with physical distancing and masks.

Reducing the COVID-19 exposure risk by restricting gatherings to immediate family members can reduce outbreak risk at the societal level. Studies have shown that the more a virus is allowed to transmit between individuals, the more chances it has to evolve and collect mutations that would enable the virus to spread faster or evade the immune system.

As the government announced a few days before the Eid celebrations, the restrictions will be partially lifted in four phases, starting from May 28. However, to achieve this, citizens and residents must continue to adhere to safety measures, whether vaccinated or not.

Though the government encourages everyone to get vaccinated, the new lifting of restrictions would allow for vaccinated people to enjoy certain levels of freedom like dining out, going to cinemas, working out at gyms, and several activities as long as they adhere to the required number of people permitted in these space.

As we celebrate Eid, we should consider our health and others as the stated lifting of restrictions will only be possible if we respect and follow the preventive measures