People performed prayers yesterday in more than 90,000 mosques in various regions of Saudi Arabia, after the suspension of prayers was lifted in all mosques.

 

The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance earlier completed cleaning and sterilising of the mosques in line with government's guidleines, a Saudi Press Agency report said.

 

The precautionary measures and instructions circulated by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance included social distancing of two metres, wearing cloth masks, opening mosques 15 minutes before Adhan (the call to prayer) and closing them 10 minutes after prayers.

 

Meanwhile, worshippers returned to perform prayers in the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah in an atmosphere of safety and security.

 

A spokesperson for the Agency of General Presidency for the Prophet's Mosque Affair said based on the royal approval of the gradual opening of the Prophet’s Mosque, the agency has adopted a plan that strengthened its precautionary and preventive measures to protect worshipers and visitors from Coronavirus, including limiting the congregation to 40% of the mosque’s capacity at a time and the continued suspension of entry to Al-Rawdah in the Prophet's Mosque, said the report.

 

He said the plan also included allocating specific doors to worshipers, and placing thermal detection cameras on doors, in addition to removing carpets of the expansions and courtyards.