Only vaccinated individuals will be allowed to enter mosques & other places of worship: NCOC
ISLAMABAD, Jan 22 (SABAH): Only vaccinated individuals will be allowed to enter mosques and other places of worship, according to a notification issued by the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) on Saturday as the 5th wave of the pandemic, driven by the Omicron variant, continues to spread through the country.
The forum undertook a detailed review of the disease’s current situation in the country and agreed to implement a series of protocols to stem the virus’ spread.
Apart from restricting entry to vaccinated individuals, entrants will also have to wear masks and maintain a social distance of six feet along with frequent hand sanitisation.
The NCOC directed that carpets at places of worship be removed and attendance for prayers should be minimal. It further decided that Friday sermons should be brief, and doors and windows should be open to ensure ventilation, though it would be preferable to hold prayers in open spaces.
The forum also advised the elderly and people with co-morbidities to “preferably offer prayers at home”, also recommending that ablutions be performed at home.