August 18 and 19 will be public holidays to observe Youm-e Ashura, according to an official notice issued by the Ministry of Interior.
Earlier this week, the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee sighted the Muharram-ul-Haram moon. Youm-e-Ashura will be marked on August 19.
The National Command and Operation Centre earlier this week issued special instructions for managing Muharram-ul-Harram activities with proper Covid-19 standard operating procedures to contain disease spread.
The forum issued these instructions keeping in view the recommendations of the Ulema (scholars) concerned regarding Muharram.
The NCOC guidelines underlined that all gatherings and processions would be held under Covid-19 SOPs.
Furthermore, the use of face masks, social distancing, thermal screening during religious processions would be ensured by the administration of that event.
The NCOC guidelines clearly stated that private gatherings would be discouraged in the homes. Hand sanitisers and masks would be provided at the venues of the gatherings and processions by the organisers, it added.
The NCOC guidelines noted that the Muharram gatherings would be held in ventilated and open spaces.
In addition, coronavirus SOPs would be prominently displayed during rallies and processions throughout Muharram.
