Saudi Arabia shuts 10 mosques as COVID-19 found among worshippers, staff

Dubai: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Islamic Affairs has temporarily closed 10 mosques across the Kingdom after coronavirus cases were detected among worshippers and staff.

The Department for Mosques in Al Dalam governorate was also shut down after its director and six employees had tested positive with the virus.

The closed mosques include three in the Horaimilah governorate, and one each in Al Aflaj and Al Dalam, three others in the Northern Border region and one each in the Al Mandaq governorate in Al Baha and Dammam in the Eastern region.

The ministry said the mosques will be closed for 24 to 48 hours for sterilization, and then will be reopened for worshipers after the completion of the disinfection process. In the event of infection of imam or muezzin, substitute imam and muezzin will be assigned to carry out the task.

The ministry called on worshipers to take all precautionary measures approved by the competent authorities such as wearing facemasks, bringing prayer rugs, and maintaining physical distance to keep them safe from the deadly infection.

It sought the cooperation of citizens and residents, urging them to report any violations or laxity in applying precautionary measures by calling the toll-free number 1933.

Saudi Arabia on Monday reported 356 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number of cases to 370,634.