Saudi Gazette report

ABU DHABI — The United Arab Emirates has extended the suspension of prayers in all places of worship across the country until further notice, the state news agency WAM reported.

The decision, which was announced late Thursday, was taken in coordination with the National Crisis Emergency and Disasters Management Authority, the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments, and federal and local health and religious authorities, according to the report.

The move is in line with the precautionary measures being taken to ensure the health and safety of the public and prevent the spread of COVID-19, the report added.

Prayers at mosques and all other places of worship in the country were suspended on March 16 for four weeks tentatively as part of preventive measures to combat coronavirus.

The UAE has so far reported 2,659 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 239 recoveries and 12 deaths.