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Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - After more than two months of closure prompted by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in Jordan in early March, the government announced on Thursday that mosques and churches will reopen as of June 5th and 7th respectively.

State Minister for Media Affairs Amjad Adileh made the announcement at a press conference alongside Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Muhammad Khalileh and President of Jordan Churches Council, Archbishop Christoforos Atallah.

Khalileh said mosques will be open only for Friday prayers as a first step, after which the other prayers may be allowed. He urged the elderly and those with chronic diseases to refrain from going to mosques to protect their health and the health of others.

The minister also called on worshippers to abide by health safety measures, including the use face masks and gloves and bring with them personal prayer mats.

Furthermore, Khalileh said the Friday prayers will be held in open spaces near mosques to ensure commitment to social distancing.

State Minister for Media Affairs Amjad Adileh said the government will ease a blanket Friday curfew in place since the beginning of the crisis to help worshippers perform the Friday prayers.

President of Jordan Churches Council, Archbishop Christoforos Atallah, said churches will reopen on Sunday, June 7th, and urged the elderly and the sick not to attend prayers at churches and perform them at home.