COVID-19: Punjab bans Yaum-e-Ali processions, gatherings

LAHORE: The Punjab government on Thursday announced a ban on Yaum-e-Ali processions from taking place in public, only allowing it to take place inside imam bargahs and homes with safety precautions.

According to a notification issued by the home department, the government has allowed the holding of majalis in Imam Bargahs and houses on the basis that the standard operating procedures (SOPs) issued by the government are strictly observed.

The notification further stated that the majalis cannot be held for more than an hour and in case safety precautions are not met, organisers will be held responsible.

It said that a distance of six-feet should be maintained between people at the imam bargahs, while children and adults over the age of 50 will not be allowed to attend the gatherings.

Earlier, the Sindh government had announced a ban on religious gatherings during the holy month of Ramadan, which includes Yaum-e-Ali and Mehfil-e-Shabeenas,

Every year in Ramadan, thousands take part in processions and gatherings for Yaum-e-Ali. Rallies to salute Hazrat Ali (RA) on the day of his martyrdom are taken out across the country.