Ministry of Islamic Affairs has banned all prayer congregations across the Maldives until April 30.
The decision to ban all prayer congregations in the Maldives was made in light of the recent developments of the COVID-19 outbreak in the country. The Islamic ministry said congregations in mosques for all prayers have been banned, although prayer calls can be given at mosques. The ministry instructed mosques to include the call to pray at home in every prayer call.
Prayer congregations have been banned in the Greater Male' Region since March 18. The ministry has also previously announced the ban of congregations in Addu City, Fuvahmulah City and islands placed under monitoring. The ban has now been extended across the nation following a surge of COVID-19 cases.
The ministry urged the public to pray at home in order to mitigate the risk of COVID-19.