NCOC annouces new COVID protocols for mosques

Islamabad: The National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) on Saturday announced revised COVID-19 protocols for mosques and other worship places.

According to details, conducted a meeting to review coronavirus situation across the country and decided to implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) in mosques and other worship places. Only fully vaccinated people will be allowed to pray inside the places of worship.

The NCOC revised mosque protocols a day after Pakistan recorded its highest daily infections count at 7,678 since the pandemic started in 2020. 

The body leading Pakistan's COVID-19 response also announced on Friday that all schools with a high COVID-19 positivity ratio would remain closed for one week across the country.

Meanwhile, apart from allowing only vaccinated individuals, the NCOC has also announced the following restrictions for mosques:

Mandatory mask wearing;

Removal of carpet, etc.;

Maintaining six feet social distancing;

Elderly and co-morbid to preferably offer prayers at home;

Frequent hand sanitisation;

Minimal attendance for the prayers;

Preferably perform ablution at home;

Opening of doors/windows for ventilation; 

Preferably organizing prayers in open;

Short sermon for Jumma prayer.