Ministry of Islamic Affairs has permitted mosques in the Greater Male' Region to reopen, with strict precautionary measures.
Upon the decision to reopen mosques starting from June 15, prayers can now be performed individually inside the mosques. However, prayer congregations have not been permitted yet.
As per a circular issued by the ministry, the decision to reopen the mosques was made during a time the government is easing the lockdown imposed in the Greater Male' Region, based on the COVID-19 situation of the country. The ministry further stated the Health Protection Agency (HPA), the Technical Advisory Group (TAG) and scholars had advised the mosques could be reopened considering a significant decrease in COVID-19 cases reported in the country.
However, health authorities have permitted to reopen the mosques with safety measures, including the removal of carpets, cleaning the mosques before and after each prayer, establishing handwashing arrangements and keeping air conditioners switched off. Furthermore, individual worshippers have been asked to perform ablutions at home, take prayer mats to mosques, wear masks and maintain social distancing at all times.
Worshippers have also been asked to refrain from attending mosques if cold, fever, sneezing and coughing exists, or if the person has a lung disease. The ministry has also asked the public not to attend mosques if aged, and to avoid spending unnecessary time in mosques after prayer is completed. The public has also been advised to abstain from shaking hands.
The ministry said further measures will be imposed upon instructions from the HPA. The ministry also urged all people to follow instructions from the authorities and to be steadfast in regular prayers and supplications.