Covid: Senegal advises against Eid travel

Senegal's Covid committee has advised against travel during the upcoming Eid al-Adha holiday as virus cases in the country increase.

The country has in recent days recorded the highest number of cases since the start of the pandemic.

Health Minister Abdoulaye Diouf Sarr has urged people to wear masks, avoid mass gatherings and get vaccinated.

On Wednesday the health ministry announced a record 733 new infections and another 674 on Thursday.

The Eid al-Adha celebrations, also known as Tabaski in west Africa, is an Islamic festival to commemorate Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son to God. During the festival, it is traditional practice to sacrifice an animal.

People travel to celebrate with extended family members.

Senegal has so far recorded 48,270 positive cases including 1,209 deaths. Some 595,850 people have been vaccinated.

This article originally appeared on BBC News

Photo: AFP