Concerns mount over claims of mosque visits by asymptomatic COVID patients

AMMAN — Authorities have renewed their call to COVID-19 patients to abide by quarantine norms after complaints have emerged of mosque visits by asymptomatic persons who tested positive for the coronavirus. 

Director of Queen Rania Government Hospital in Petra District Mohammad Nawafleh said in a statement that he had received calls from citizens claiming that people, who have tested positive for the coronavirus and are asymptomatic, are still visiting mosques regularly for prayers and attending the Friday congregational prayer as well.

“This is largely irresponsible. The presence of COVID-19 positive people in mosques harms elderly people, susceptible to chronic conditions and weak immune system. With them attending prayers in mosques, knowing the seriousness of the virus, is unacceptable,” added Nawafleh

Some citizens also claimed that people in their neighbourhood have been diagnosed with the virus and sent to home quarantine but they are still attending prayers in mosques.

Saad Nidal, a citizen residing in Abdali, told The Jordan Times over the phone that “some middle-aged men who have been diagnosed with the virus still go to the mosque, contact people and not necessarily practise physical distancing”.

“However, people in our neighbourhood have stopped going to the mosque to avoid them. It should be the other way round, with COVID patients in quarantine, but this is how it is,” he added.

Yousef Qudah, a department head at the Ministry of Awqaf, told The Jordan Times over the phone that “Islam in no way asks sick people to attend mosques, especially during a pandemic”.

“The religious thing to do is to protect yourself, your family and your country,” he added.