Pakistan on Saturday lifted restrictions on congregational prayers at mosques ahead of the holy month of Ramzaan scheduled to begin on April 23.
The decision to lift restrictions was taken in a meeting between Pakistani President ArifAlvi and Islamic religious leaders.
Although the government had eased restrictions on holding congregational prayers at mosques, it warned that it reserved the right to review the matter if guidelines were violated.
According to the new rules laid down by the Pakistan government, it is mandatory for mosque visitors to wear masks and maintain the rules of social distancing.
Worshippers are asked to maintain a six-foot (two-metre) distance from each other instead of the usual Muslim practice of praying shoulder-to-shoulder.
The government also ordered that mosque administrations should disinfect premises thoroughly.
Meanwhile, the government has asked people above 50 years, minor children and patients having cough and cold not to attend the congregational prayers at mosques.
With the rise in the number of coronavirus cases in Pakistan, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday announced a 14-day extension to a countrywide lockdown, but eased curbs on essential industries to counter economic shocks as IMF and the World Bank gave bleak outlooks for the country’s economy.
Pakistan has registered 7,993 cases of the virus and 159 deaths on Saturday, according to John Hopkins University tally.