Saudi Arabia’s Council of Senior Scholars announced on Wednesday that it was prohibited for people infected with the novel coronavirus to attend Friday and mass prayers for fear of spreading the disease to others.
It also said that worshippers fearful of contracting the virus are allowed to skip the Friday prayers at mosques and can perform them at home.
The council urged people to adhere to preventive measures and instructions issued by concerned parties over the outbreak.
Saudi Arabia announced Tuesday that it was allowing mosques to open for Friday prayers as the Kingdom eases restrictions on movement to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
Mosques will be authorized to open 20 minutes before Friday prayers and should close 20 minutes after they finish, said the ministry of Islamic affairs.
Saudi authorities said on Monday that restrictions would be lifted in three phases, culminating in a curfew ending - with the exception of the holy city of Makkah - from June 21.
