Ministry of Islamic Affairs has extended the ban on prayer congregations in the Maldives until May 28.
The Islamic ministry had previously banned prayer congregations across the country until May 14. In light of the current situation of the COVID-19 outbreak in the country, the ministry said congregations in mosques for all prayers have been banned for a further 14 days, 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 ban was later 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.