Edinburgh Central Mosque closed down with immediate effect yesterday after two people linked to the place of worship tested positive for coronavirus.
In a statement, the mosque said they were informed by NHS Health Protection that two people who attended Jumuah prayer on April 16 2021 have been given a positive test result and, 'therefore, those individuals were potentially infectious when they attended the prayers.'
Both Edinburgh Central Mosque and NHS worked to identify the close contacts of the individuals affected, and those who work at the Mosque or who attended the prayer session were encouraged to book a test and self-isolate until they received their results.
Because of the risk of additional Covid cases linked to the mosque, they decided to close immediately until further notice. It is understood that they have now reopened the mosque for prayer.
A statement released by Edinburgh Central Mosque reads: "We have been notified by NHS Health Protection that two individuals who attended Jumuah prayer on April 16 2021 have since tested positive in the last few days. Therefore, those individuals were potentially infectious when they attended the prayers.
"NHS Lothian Health Protection Team has gone through a process of identifying people who were in close contact with the affected individuals but are now working with Edinburgh Central Mosque to contact all attendees of prayer on the date above, to recommend they seek a COVID-19 test if they have not done so already, and isolate until they receive the test results. This is due to the potential for a high number of cases and is an additional precaution.
"As a result of this, Edinburgh Central Mosque has made the decision to close immediately until further notice to allow our team of staff and volunteers to be tested, and isolate until they receive their test results.
"We extend our gratitude and thanks to our entire team of staff and volunteers who have continued to put the safety of the community at the forefront of all they do over the past year to ensure the Mosque could safely remain open as long as possible.
"Finally, we extend our deepest thanks to our community for their continued cooperation and adherence to, and patience with, our guidelines. We know it has not been easy, but your continued adherence to those guidelines matters more than ever right now.
"We will update the community as soon as we are in a position to reopen."
