GUJRAT: The butchers from across the Gujrat district will have to undergo the Covid-19 test prior to Eidul Azha as the local health authorities have decided to allow slaughter of animals only by those butchers who will be tested negative.

Moreover, the public may be asked to let only those butchers who show the Covid-19 negative certificate slaughter their animals.

Dr Zahid Tanveer, chief executive officer of the District Health Authority (DHA), told Dawn on Friday that the health department had planned to establish 11 testing camps -- five in Gujrat tehsil, four in Kharian and two in Sara-i-Alamgir – for conducting tests of butchers. He said the DC office had already conveyed to the respective assistant commissioners to prepare the lists of the butchers in their areas.

Dr Tanveer said the testing of butchers might start by July 12 and would continue till July 20 and the date could be extended.

Meanwhile, the district administration has also identified 18 spots to establish the markets of sacrificial animals whereas makeshift slaughterhouses will also be set up adjacent to these cattle markets to facilitate the public.

Gujrat DC Dr Khurram Shahzad told Dawn that the identified areas were located in suburbs of the major cities and towns of Gujrat district and the people of rural areas also would be asked to set up makeshift slaughterhouses at any open places outside the residential areas of the villages.

He said 18 areas had been identified for the cattle markets and slaughterhouses and these included eight each in Gujrat and Kharian and two in Sara-i-Alamgir and these markets would start functioning from July 15.

The local health authorities made all the tehsil headquarters hospitals, maternity hospitals and rural health centres fully functional on Friday. The decision has been taken after ratio of Covid-19 patients is declining.

Wards in each THQ hospital will remain ready for the Covid-19 patients whereas doctor and paramedics will have to ensure their attendance through biometric verification as well as standard operating procedures for the Covid-19 will be followed completely in these health facilities.

Published in Dawn, July 4th, 2020