CAIRO — Egypt has shut down its mosques for two weeks due to the new coronavirus, according to a statement. The nation’s religious authorities have, in addition, shuttered churches and banned communal prayer gatherings to try and stem the spread of the novel coronavirus.

The shutting down of the mosques and churches will be for two weeks. The decision was taken by the ministry of religious endowments, which oversees mosques nationwide, and the Coptic Orthodox Church respectively.

The religious endowments ministry said in a statement it "decided to halt prayers and to close all mosques... starting today (Saturday) and for two weeks".

The Coptic Orthodox Church said it ordered "the closure of all churches, suspension of ritual services, masses and activities".

The decision, including a ban on visits to monasteries nationwide, "is effective from Saturday for two weeks... and until further notice", it said.

Authorities have imposed tough measures to limit social interaction in the country of 100 million inhabitants, where Christians represent around 10 percent of the population. — Agencies