The UAE has announced the suspension of public prayers in all places of worship.
The National Crisis and Emergency Management Authority and General Authority for Islamic Affairs and Endowments on Monday said prayers at mosques, churches and temples would be suspended from 9pm on Monday for four weeks, to contain the spread of coronavirus and protect public health.
Authorities called on Emiratis and residents to comply with the directive to protect themselves and others.
Several churches in the UAE had announced temporary closures and the suspension of Mass starting March 12 to curb the spread of Covid-19.
In notices to worshippers, St Andrew’s Church in Abu Dhabi and St Michael’s Church in Sharjah said last week that all group services and activities were postponed until further notice.
A notice signed by Edwin Maria Arasu, director of His Highness Special Projects at the Sharjah Ruler’s office, was sent out to all 10 churches in the emirate urging them to suspend all group services.
In support of the UAE government’s efforts to contain the outbreak, the Rev Canon Andy Thompson, senior chaplain at St Andrew’s Church, said its decision to close completely was voluntary.
On March 3, Muslims in the UAE were told not to attend prayers in mosques if they were unwell or had a compromised immunity.
According to a fatwa issued by the country’s Fatwa Council then, anyone at risk of potentially contracting coronavirus — including senior citizens, anyone suffering from a respiratory disease and people who have a weakened immune system — should avoid going to mosques and pray at home instead.
“Anyone who suffers from or is suspected to have this disease is forbidden by the Sharia to be in public places, or to go to the mosque to attend congregational prayers, Friday, or Eid,” said the fatwa.
A number of public places have been closed across the Emirates during the past few days. These have ranged from tourist attractions to beaches and cinemas in Abu Dhabi.
Dubai has also closed theme parks, cinemas and gyms. Public parks in the city will also remain closed until further notice, Dubai Municipality said.
The UAE has recorded 98 cases of the virus, the first of which were confirmed in a family of four travelling from Wuhan on January 29.
A total of 26 patients have since made full recoveries after receiving treatment in the Emirates.
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An abra driver wears protective gloves and a face mask in Dubai. Getty Images -
A sign showing how to prevent infection is seen in Dubai. Getty Images -
One of the staff member stands inside a Dhow Cruise which is closed as a preventive measure in Deira. Pawan Singh / The National -
An empty restaurant is pictured outside Dubai Mall. Reuters -
A picture taken on March 16, 2020 shows Dubai's Burj Khalifa lit up in the colours of the Italian flag and "We are with you" message as a sign of solidarity with Italy. AFP -
A view shows the Dubai mall almost empty of customers, as precaution amid the outbreak of coronavirus, in Dubai. Reuters -
An empty beach in Dubai. EPA -
People walk past shops in Dubai's Deira Souk on on March 15, 2020. AFP -
Workers clean outside the Louvre Abu Dhabi on March 15, 2020. EPA -
A man wearing a protective mask walks down the street in Dubai on March 16, 2020. AFP -
A near-empty tourist boat crosses Dubai's marina on March 16, 2020. AFP -
A man wears a protective mask at the shopping mall in Dubai. Reuters -
A school gate is closed with a chain and lock in Dubai. AFP -
Commuters wear protective masks on the metro in Dubai, March 12. Reuters -
An attendant wears a protective face mask while using a fuel pump at an Eppco gas station in Dubai on March 10. Bloomberg -
A member of cleaning staff disinfects a seat screen of an Emirates Airbus A380 on March 5. Reuters -
A worker with a face mask disembarks from a bus at the Abu Dhabi Main Bus Terminal area on March 5. Victor Besa / The National -
Commuters, some wearing protective face masks, ride the metro in Dubai on March 5. Bloomberg -
A trader walks by beneath a stock display board at the Dubai Stock Exchange in the UAE on March 8. AFP -
A traveller wears a mask at the Dubai International Airport on March 8. Reuters -
A commuter, wearing a protective face mask, speaks on a mobile phone while riding the metro in Dubai, March 5. Bloomberg -
A commuter, wearing a protective face mask, walks in Downtown Dubai on March 5. Bloomberg -
Commuters, wearing protective face masks, walk in downtown Dubai, on March 5. Bloomberg -
Commuters, wearing protective face masks, walk after exiting a metro station in downtown Dubai, March 5. Bloomberg -
A commuter, wearing protective face mask, walks through a metro station in downtown Dubai on March 5. Bloomberg -
Commuters wearing protective face masks use smartphones on the metro in Dubai on March 5. Bloomberg -
UAE landmarks were lit up for in solidarity with China’s efforts to contain coronavirus, Covid-19 in March. Bilateral trade between the two countries is set to accelerate, according to officials. Wam
