SOPs finalised for cattle markets in capital.

Byline: Munawer Azeem

ISLAMABAD -- Standard operating procedures (SOPs) have been prepared for the cattle markets to be established for Eidul Azha to check the spread of Covid-19 and Congo virus in the capital.

Officials said under the SOPs, eateries and food services would not be allowed on the premises of the cattle markets.

There will also be a ban on sanitisation tunnels to disinfect visitors in the markets. Besides, children and senior citizens will not be allowed entry in the markets.

Cattle trading and transportation is a permanent feature during Eidul Azha which generates a significant economic boost for the country.

On the other hand, huge movement of livestock and mass gatherings in cattle markets always pose threats of communicable diseases like cholera, typhoid fever, Congo Crimean Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) and respiratory infections.

There will be a ban on eateries, food services and entry of children and senior citizens in cattle markets

The capital administration issued the SOPs which the managements of the cattle markets are required to implement.

As per the SOPs, the markets should be established at designated points and two to five kilometres away from the city limits. It is recommended to increase the number of cattle markets to manage rush and gathering of traders and buyers.

The cattle markets should have defined areas for main business points for establishment of stockyards for cattle.

The markets should also have well-ventilated management offices, medical and veterinary camps, spacious separate parking lots for customers and cattle transport vehicles.

Besides, separate entry and exit points for one-way controlled movement are required.

A parking area will be marked with an appropriate distance for each vehicle and no extra vehicle will be allowed to enter unless the space is available and only two people per vehicle will be allowed.

Elderly people and children may not be allowed to enter the markets. Besides, people with fever or respiratory symptoms are advised not to visit the cattle markets.

Cattle would be pegged at distance inside stockyards so that close gathering of customers can be avoided during inspection of animals.

Cattle markets should provide hand-hygiene facilities (soap or alcohol-based hand sanitiser) at the entry point and multiple places within the market.

There should be functional toilets and a handwashing facility with essentially required supplies, including soap, tissues and paper towels.

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