Kuwait
Worshippers wearing protective masks perform at a mosque in Kuwait City on February 28, 2020. Image Credit: AFP

Dubai: Kuwait’s religious authorities asked Muslims to pray at home on Friday as Gulf Arab states stepped up measures to fight the spread of the new coronavirus, according to Al Arabiya.

Friday prayers were cancelled across Kuwait for the first time, as the country grapples to contain the spread of coronavirus, according to Kuwait Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs.

The weekly Friday prayers at mosques have now been suspended until further notice.

Public parks in the country have also been closed.

The move has been taken as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Earlier on Thursday, Kuwait reported eight new cases of the deadly coronavirus, a spokesman for the Ministry of Health said during a press conference, raising the total number of confirmed cases to 80.

Kuwait is not the only Arab country to ban Friday prayers. Iraq and Iran have done that before while in Saudi Arabia, Friday prayers can still be performed but with precaution and guidelines, to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.