Saudi Arabia to reopen Mecca mosques as cases surpass 150,000
Saudi health officials confirmed an additional 4,301 cases of the virus Friday, raising the case count to more than 150,000.
Saudi Arabia will allow more than 1,500 mosques to reopen in the holy city of Mecca more than three months after they were closed to congressional prayers.
The Ministry of Islamic Affairs said Friday that personal prayer rugs and social distancing will be required among worshippers. Gulf News reports that volunteers have posted signs on carpets showing the distances that must be kept during prayers.
Saudi Arabia confirmed an additional 4,301 cases of the virus Friday, bringing the total 150,292. Health officials say 1,184 people have died of the virus.
The country has marked six straight days of new cases surpassing 4,000. On Wednesday, it recorded 4,919 new cases — its highest single-day total since it began tracking the virus in March.
