Manama: Saudi Arabia has temporarily closed 10 mosques in a number of regions in the Kingdom following coronavirus infections among worshipers and mosque employees, according to a ministerial statement.
Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance also announced the temporary closing of its department office in Ad-Dilam district of Riyadh for sterilization after the director and six employees were infected with the virus.
The ministry said in a report on Monday that within two days, it began closing five mosques in Riyadh, three of them in Harimila district and one in each in Al-Aflaj and Ad-Dilam districts, and also closed mosques in the al-Mandaq governorate in al-Baha, Dammam in the Eastern Province, and three mosques in the northern border.
The closure of mosques for sterilization will take 24 to 48 hours, the ministry said. The mosques will be reopened after authorities ensure their fitness to receive worshipers, the statement added.
The Ministry called on the worshipers to adhere to all the precautionary measures approved by the competent authorities, such as wearing a facemask, bringing their own prayer rug, and maintaining physical distances.
Saudi Arabia on Monday reported 356 new COVID-19 cases, taking the total number of cases to 370,634, according to the Ministry of Health.
