The Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments has closed three mosques after the National Medical Team for Combatting the Coronavirus (COVID-19) discovered cases in them.

The mosques, located in the Muharraq and the Capital Governorate, will be closed for two weeks “in order to preserve the requirements of public health and protect worshipers,” the ministry said.

 “The time will be used by the relevant teams to carry out the process of tracing contacts, sanitize the premises and ensure that all precautionary measures are taken.”

Bahrain has re-opened mosques for the five daily prayers, but insisted that worshippers comply with the health protocols and measures to ensure their safety. Mosques that failed to adhere to the measures were temporarily closed.

The ministry warned that it would followed up on the implementation of the mandatory measures at mosques and intensify inspections to protect worshippers’ health and safety.