NCOC issues fresh SOPs for mosques to contain Covid resurgence

Only vaccinated people will be allowed to offer prayers in mosques with mandatory mask-wearing, says the nerve centre

Amid a surge in the novel coronavirus cases during the fifth wave of virus fuelled by the Omicron variant, the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) has issued fresh standard operating procedures (SOPs) for mosques and worship places across the country.

Under the SOPs issued on Friday, only vaccinated individuals are allowed to offer prayer in mosques or worship places while wearing face masks has been declared mandatory.

The worshippers will be required to maintain a social distancing of at least six feet and mosques have been asked to remove mats and carpets from their premises.

The NCOC has also advised elderly and comorbid persons to prefer offering prayer at home and maintain minimal attendance for the prayer.

The SOPs also recommended use of hand sanitiser frequently and organising prayer in open spaces or ensure proper ventilation to contain the spread of the contagious disease.

Also read: Covid curbs return as fifth wave digs in

It also asked the mosque-goers to prefer performing ablution at home and recommended short sermons for Friday prayer.

On Wednesday, the NCOC — which serves as the nerve centre of the country’s anti-Covid strategy — announced a set of new restrictions in cities with an over 10% Covid-19 positivity ratio.

The meeting had decided to impose a complete ban on all types of indoor gatherings, including dine-in and wedding, and all types of contact sports in the districts and cities where the Covid-19 positivity rate exceeded 10%.

In the Covid hotspots, outdoor weddings have been restricted to 300 fully vaccinated individuals, while outdoor dining and takeaway will be allowed. Education activities have also been limited in the virus hotspots, according to the NCOC.

“Schools with students under-12 years of age will have 50% attendance with a three days per week schedule, whereas schools with students over 12 years of age will have 100% attendance,” the NCOC said, adding that vaccination was mandatory for all students above 12.