COVID-19 precautions tightened at Prophet Mosque in Medina, Saudi Arabia

Cairo: Saudi authorities have stepped up precautions against COVID-19 at the Prophet's Mosque in Medina as the country is seeking to limit the spread of the potentially fatal ailment.

The measures are based on enforcing a contingency plan that includes boosting ventilation in the mosque’s Al Rawda Al Sharifa that houses the tomb of the Prophet (peace be upon him), spokesman for a state body in charge of the holy site Jaman Bin Abdullah said.

The plan also includes increasing the number of Health Ministry-affiliated teams on duty inside the mosque, he told the Riyadh Radio.

“This includes intensifying the sertilisation every hour, screening all people entering the mosque, monitoring the courtyards to ensure worshippers’ observance of distancing and verifying people’s safety via the smart health app Tawakkalna, he added.

“Coordination entails distributing the numbers of escorts in funerals for prayers in the mosque to 10 persons,” the official added. Workers in the mosque are, meanwhile, educated about the importance of abiding by precautionary measures, according to Bin Abdullah.

In May, the Prophet's Mosque reopened for worshippers after suspension of over two months to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus.

The kingdom has recently imposed a set of health measures amid an increase in virus cases.

Last week, Saudi Arabia enforced a temporary ban on flights from 20 countries.

The measures also include suspension of all events and parties such as weddings and corporate meetings for at least 30 days.

Saudi authorities so far have registered a total of 370,634 cases and 6,406 related deaths.