Palestinian Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs in the Gaza Strip on Monday announced that mosques will remain closed during the holy month of Ramadan in an effort to combat the coronavirus outbreak.
Undersecretary of Awqaf Ministry Abed al-Hadi al-Agha said in a press conference that adhans will be called normally but the ban on public worship inside mosques will continue during the holy month.
Al-Agha called on Gaza residents to perform prayers at home to enforce social distancing.
He stressed that praying at home and avoiding gatherings at these times are “religious duties”.
Speaking at the same conference spokesman of Gaza’s Ministry of Health Ashraf al-Qedra said that two new cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) were confirmed on Sunday among citizens who have recently returned to the Gaza Strip.
Al-Qedra said that since 22 March 15 COVID-19 cases have been detected in the Gaza Strip 9 of whom have recovered while the health condition of the remaining cases is “stable”.
According to al-Qedra 2017 Palestinian citizens who have lately returned to Gaza from abroad are staying at 26 quarantine centers and all of them are in good health.
Al-Qedra said that the 14-year-long Israeli blockade on Gaza makes it hard for the Health Ministry to keep up with the new challenges hitting the area in view of the spread of the deadly virus and lack of vital supplies.
He called on concerned governments and organizations to pressure the Israeli occupation authorities to lift the siege and allow much-needed medical supplies like testing kits respirators and ICU beds into Gaza.
He praised the strenuous efforts being made by medical staff in Gaza in the fight against coronavirus despite limited resources.
He renewed his call on the Palestinian citizens to abide by the safety instructions set by the Health Ministry stay at home and practice social distancing especially during the holy month of Ramadan.
