COVID-19: Saudi Arabia suspends prayers at two holy mosques in Makkah, Madinah

Saudi Arabia has suspended prayers at Masjid Al Haram in Makkah and Masjid Nabawi in Madinah as a precautionary measure to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

"The Spokesperson for the General Presidency for the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, Hani bin Hosni Haider, stated that the Presidency and the security and health authorities decided to suspend the presence and prayers in the outer squares of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque starting tomorrow, Friday, as part of precautionary and preventive measures to prevent the spread of the Novel Coronavirus," state news agency SPA said.

Saudi authorities had earlier suspended congregational prayers in all mosques except the two holy mosques. 

The Ministry of Health on Thursday (Mar 19) reported 36 new cases of the COVID-19, taking the total tally to 274 for Saudi Arabia. 

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