Just like Ramazan and ensuing Eidul Fitr in previous months when people flocked to mosques and shopping malls spiking the number of coronavirus, another repeat of scenes of crowded markets is looming in the wake of Eidul Azha. Very rightly, Prime Minister Imran Khan has appealed to the nation to mark the upcoming Eid with simplicity to defeat coronavirus cases. In his recent tweet, the prime minister said: “Eidul Azha must be celebrated with simplicity so as not to repeat what happened last Eid when SOPs (standard operating procedures) were ignored & our hospitals were choked”. The million dollar question, however, is: will the nation pay attention to the prime minister’s appeal? In cattle markets, both legal and illegal, people – both traders and buyers – are ignoring physical distancing guidelines, and it is feared that another surge in COVID-19 cases is likely across Pakistan. Besides markets, a flurry of travelling is due in days as Eids are a matter of reunion in our part of the world and soon many people will be returning to their native places from cities and other countries to celebrate the festival. The pandemic is a global issue, and the World Health Organisation (is calling for the enforcement of lockdowns across Pakistan. The government should spring into action and enforce SOPs to keep the tide of viruses in control as in recent days, the rate of new infections is continuously going down and any slackness may trigger the infection again. There is also the fear of the second wave of the virus. Several countries, such as China and New Zealand, which claim to have defeated the pandemic and have reopened markets, are facing the prospects of the second wave of the virus. This only warns us to be vigilant as the virus is still around and its rate can only be minimised if guidelines are followed. As the festival like Eidul Azha cannot be ignored as it has religious, cultural and economic aspects altogether, the phase should be dealt with with great caution. The occasion generates billion rupee economic activities in the trade of cattle, leather and food related items. Given the slump in economy in recent months after the spread of the virus, the government may not be able to afford a blanket lockdown, but the authorities can at least let the business on by preventing big gatherings in livestock markets. It can be done if one person from a family visits the cattle market, instead of making it a family tour to shop a goat. *