FASTING MONTH & COVID-19

Migri issues instructions for Muslim clients on celebration of Ramadan

Muslims perform the first 'Tarawih' evening prayers of the holy fasting month of Ramadan. Photo: Sayed Hassan/dpa.
"We ask all reception centre clients to cooperate with us, to be patient and stay calm," the immigration agency says.

"You must think about the coronavirus situation also when celebrating Ramadan."

With this sentence begins the message sent by the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) to Muslims in Finland in its latest customer bulletin.

In this message, the immigration agency asks everyone to act "responsibly" during the celebration of the Muslim fasting month, because "every person can make a real difference when it comes to spreading infections."

Migri explains that the coronavirus is transmitted primarily "as a droplet infection when a person who has the virus coughs or sneezes."

The agency says that each person must do its best to stop the spread of infections in the reception center and outside of it. And it has published nine instructions to be followed by clients during the celebration of Ramadan to prevent spreading the coronavirus.

The 9 instructions of Migri

  1. Avoid public places, groups of people and gatherings.
  2. Also avoid private parties, even with very few people, and meeting people other than those who are the closest to you. Meet other people as little as possible.
  3. Avoid unnecessary travel and visiting people. If you live outside the reception centre, do not invite people to your home.
  4. Take care of good hand and coughing hygiene. Wash your hands often and carefully with water and soap. Cough into your sleeve.
  5. Stay at least 2 metres away from other people. Do not shake hands or hug other people.
  6. Wear a face mask according to recommendations.
  7. If you have symptoms, stay in your room at the reception centre, and do not go out of the centre or your home.
  8. If you have any symptoms or you have been in contact with someone who has the coronavirus, tell the reception centre staff at once.
  9. Follow the instructions that the reception centre staff and other authorities give to you.

"We ask all reception centre clients to cooperate with us, to be patient and stay calm. If you need more information, contact the reception centre staff," the Finnish Immigration Service says.

The information published by Migri regarding the coronavirus and Ramadan can be read in 12 different languages HERE