Top health official gives advice to Sheffield Muslims celebrating Eid during lockdown

Director of Public Health Greg Fell issued the video message yesterday as thousands of Muslims across the city prepare to celebrate the festival this weekend.

Eid is the most important date in the Muslim calendar and is traditionally a time families come together to celebrate the end of the fasting month of Ramadan.

However, Mr Fell urged Muslims in the city to ‘stay home and safe safe’ this Eid in order to protect their loved ones from infection.

He said: “The first wave of coronavirus is coming to an end and the number of people sadly dying and getting infected is coming down to single figures.

“But my message now is the same as it was for Ramadan a month ago. Stay home and stay safe during Eid.”

Mr Fell said evidence showed that black and minority ethnic people were more seriously affected by covid-19 than the population as a whole and urged people to remain vigilant.

He said: “While we are past the first peak of infection there is still a risk particularly if we don’t practice social distancing and hand-washing.

“Gatherings still have the potential to spread the virus particularly to those who are vulnerable.

“If one person who is infected with covid-19 attends they could infect several or tens or maybe more, some of whom will have underlying illnesses.”

And Mr Fell also praised Muslim leaders in the city for helping keep the lockdown in place but added it was important for young people to be aware of the dangers too.

He said: "Imams have advised Muslims that they must pray at home and not congregate together to worship. I would like to thank Muslim leaders in Sheffield who have worked really hard to put the lockdown in place.”

“But anyone can catch covid-19. Young people are less likely to have a serious illness but if you are mixing with friends you carry the risk of bringing it back to your loved ones. No one wants that to happen.”