RIYADH: The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance has reopened seven mosques that were temporarily closed for cleaning after coronavirus (COVID-19) infections were confirmed among worshippers.
The ministry said on Saturday that two mosques were reopened in both Baha and Jazan, and one each in Asir, the Eastern Province and the Northern Borders.
Coronavirus infections have led to the closure of 1,672 mosques in the Kingdom in the past 140 days. The mosques were reopened after cleaning measures were completed.
The ministry urged worshippers and employees to follow precautionary measures, including wearing face masks, using their own prayer mats and maintaining social distancing.
Health protocols in mosques across the Kingdom have been updated in light of developments in the pandemic.
The ministry said that all preventive measures must be taken, including wearing a mask, bringing a rug for personal use, avoiding crowding when entering and leaving the mosque, and maintaining a distance of 1.5 meters between worshippers.
The ministry canceled the requirement to leave an empty row between every two rows and reduced the time between the first (Adhan) and second (Iqama) calls to prayer.
Mosques must adhere to the previously approved time as follows: 20 minutes for all the obligatory prayers, 25 minutes for Fajr prayer, and 10 minutes for Maghrib prayer.
The ministry said that mosques will open for Friday prayers one hour before the call to prayer and close 30 minutes after the prayer.
The circular has canceled the limit on the duration of Friday sermons and prayers to 15 minutes, but kept the sermon as short as possible.
