Syria reopens mosques for Friday prayers amid COVID-19 epidemic

Mosques in Syria reopened for the first time since March as part of the government's plan to ease the measures against the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, the mosques were opened for the Friday prayers only, not for Muslims' five prayers per day, Xinhua news agency reported.

Workers in masks and overalls stood at the gates of mosques and measured the temperature of the worshippers who also have to observe social distancing inside the mosques ahead of the prayers.

On Friday, two new COVID-19 infections were recorded in Syria, bringing the total number in the country to 47, the health ministry said in a statement.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said in a recent speech that his country is moving toward opening-up despite the COVID-19 pandemic.