Coronavirus: UK mosque shuts over outbreak after imam tests positive

Britain only allows up to 30 people to attend funerals to contain Covid-19

The Jamia Ghosia mosque in Blackburn closed after its imam contracted Covid-19. The mosque hosted the funeral of about 250 people on July 13. Google Street View
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A mosque in northern England has been closed after about 250 people attended a funeral there and its imam tested positive for Covid-19.

The funeral prayers were held at Jamia Ghosia mosque in Blackburn on July 13.

The British government advises against more than 30 people attending a funeral, to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

On Sunday, the mosque said it would close the building indefinitely while a deep clean took place.

Messages from mosque staff to worshippers seen by the Lancashire Telegraph urged those who attended the funeral to self-quarantine for at least a week.

“Unfortunately, our imam who led the janazah prayer has been tested positive for Covid-19 and is recovering from the virus,” the staff said.

“There is a possibility that other attendees may also have been infected at the janazah prayers.

“It is our legal obligation to strongly advise you to isolate yourself for seven days, or attend your local Covid-19 testing station for a Covid test.”

“Any future janazah prayer will consist of 30 people only."

The staff said that funeral prayers during the Covid-19 pandemic will no longer be allowed in the mosque, and will have to take place at the Blackburn Cemetery.

Britain has been one of the countries hit hardest by the coronavirus, recording more than 45,000 deaths and almost 300,000 cases.