People with COVID-19-like symptoms urged to avoid mosques

Government-run highest authority to monitor Islamic values under Religious Affairs Ministery, Islamic Foundation Bangladesh, on Tuesday asked people returning from abroad to avoid mosques and other public gatherings if suffering from any coronavirus-like symptoms, says a statement of the foundation.

Addressing all people across the country, the statement added that not only the foreign returnees but any person suffering from coronavirus-like symptoms should also avoid mosques and other public places for the greater safety of the people in the wake of the outbreak.

Citing to the special situation prevailing across the country due to the worldwide coronavirus pandemic, the statement urged all Muslim scholars, or imams, to address during Muslim weekly prayers, Jummah, to create awareness among mass people about coronavirus.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh has suspended flight operation on international routes due to coronavirus outbread.

There are reports of deaths every day across the world while new people are getting infected with coronavirus, the statement said.

As part of the cautionary measures, Bangladesh has closed all educational institutions and advised people to avoid public gatherings, it said.

“In these circumstances, the Islamic Foundation is advising people who are returning home from abroad with coronavirus-like symptoms and are suffering from fever, cold and cough not to come to mosques for prayers,” the statement said.

After originating in Wuhan, central China last December, the virus has so far spread to above 150 countries and territories worldwide.

Till the date, over 7,000 people have been died after infected by the lethal virus, while nearly 182,000 others have been infected, according to data collected by Johns Hopkins University in Maryland, U.S.

Kamruzzaman