Morocco Considers Reopening Mosques as COVID-19 Restrictions Ease

No date has yet been announced for the reopening of places of worship, which have remained closed for several weeks to limit the spread of the coronavirus. The mosques in particular could possibly reopen their doors, after the lifting of confinement scheduled for June 10. But nothing is certain for the moment, if we rely on the words of the Minister of Habous and Islamic Affairs, Ahmed Taoufik, who affirmed on May 28 that "the mosques will be reopened as soon as the competent authorities have decided that the health situation is normalized".

In any case, the reopening must be done in compliance with the health measures and barrier gestures recommended against the coronavirus. In terms of preventive measures, we mention those recommended by Dr. Rajae Ghanimi, occupational physician. This involves "ensuring physical distancing of at least one meter between two people, through floor marking (mosques) or on seats (synagogues/churches)", "setting a maximum attendance threshold, according to the area of the place of worship", and "making the wearing of a protective mask mandatory during prayer and religious ceremonies". Body temperature of worshipers will also have to be taken using thermal cameras and "regulating the flow of entry into each place of worship" to avoid crowds and gatherings of more than 10 people inside and around them, she adds.

Hygiene measures must also be observed, specifies Maroc Diplomatique. In this regard, Dr. Ghanimi recommends "mandatory hand washing (with soap or disinfectant gel) at the entrance to places of worship, "regular disinfection of toilets and ablution areas (mosques)" and "ventilation of places rather than using air conditioners". In times of heat wave or in hot areas where the use of air conditioners is essential, the occupational physician recommends "checking the type of filter in the air conditioning and regularly sterilizing it with bleach water".