Rabbis warn over Purim celebrations Covid risk

Ultra-Orthodox community in north London told to keep socially distant after last year's festivities led to huge spike in infections

Ultra-Orthodox rabbis in north London have issued unprecedented guidance on the eve of the Jewish festival of Purim in a bid to avoid a repeat of last year's celebrations that led to a huge spike in Covid infections.

The advice was issued by the Office of the Rabbinate of the Union of Orthodox Hebrew Congregations in the form of a notice to be displayed in synagogues and shared on WhatsApp groups before the 24-hour festival, which starts at sundown on Thursday.