Online cattle markets will reduce COVID-19 risk

Every year Eid-ul-Azha comes with a festive mood. On this day, Muslims sacrifice animals as per their ability and distribute a portion of the meat among the poor. Those who can afford it perform Hajj. But this time, due to the coronavirus crisis, the Saudi government has imposed restrictions on the entry of foreign pilgrims. The symbolic Hajj will be celebrated there in the presence of only 1000 Hajis.

Meanwhile, coronavirus infection is on the rise in Bangladesh. A significant number of people are dying every day. The only way to protect them from coronavirus is to apply social distancing rules. In this context, the organisations of these sacrificial animal markets in different parts of the country, including Dhaka South and Dhaka North city corporations have decided to set up a limited number of cattle markets in compliance with the national health hygiene rules.

The question is when proper hygiene is not being ensured in the markets or shopping malls, will it be possible to do so in the cattle market?

Dhaka North City Corporation mayor Atiqul Islam said animal markets would not be set up in residential or densely populated areas or in the city centre. We welcome his decision. But still questions remain. Outside the residential area, there will be playgrounds or wherever the animal market will be set, even if it is temporary, The huge number of buyers and sellers who will gather at each market.

There it will be a huge task to follow their hygiene rules. In addition to providing the necessary masks, gloves, sanitizers, increased manpower will also be required. Does the City Corporation have that capacity and manpower?

Mayor Atiqul Islam has rightly said that the value of human life is much more than the money of cattle market lease. Hopefully, the Dhaka South City Corporation or the organisers of other cattle markets will have a similar attitude. The issue of saving people must be given importance. As a result, initiatives have to be taken on how to trade sacrificial animals by ensuring hygiene and maximum precautions. Just as there is the issue of Muslims observing the religious rules with the sacrifice, there is also the question of the livelihood of the millions of farmers who keep animals considering the market of the sacrifice.

In this context, virtual animal market may be the best alternative. It is a digital platform, where buyers and sellers of sacrificial animals will come together through an online website. The seller will show stills or videos of cows, goats or animals suitable for sacrifice. There will be information about the price of the cow, age, weight, how many teeth there are, where it was brought from. The way the buyer checks and selects the cows at the Qurbani market will be seen in the same way. Buyers will buy cows if they like. Money can be transferred via mobile financial services or paid for with credit or debit cards. The sacrificial animals will then be sent wherever the buyer wants.

Since last year, several organisations have taken the initiative to buy and sell sacrificial animals online. Now more platforms are trying to do that. We believe the more sacrificial animals are bought and sold online, the less risk to human health there will be. The city corporations or local government agencies should extend their full support.