South Sudan's mosques have opened their doors to worshippers for the first time in five months as the government eased restrictions imposed to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

Ibrahim Awuol Nyekir, the information secretary of the South Sudan Islamic Council, told Radio Tamazuj on Friday that mosques across the country have officially opened. 

"After the recent directives by the High-Level Taskforce on COVID-19, the Islamic Council announced the reopening of mosques," he said, stressing that mosques will only be used as recommended by authorities.

Awuol explained that worshippers have been ordered to follow strict guidelines to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

According to the information secretary, worshippers headed to the Kuwaiti mosque in Juba for Friday prayers amid strict regulations requiring the use of face masks and personal prayer mats, avoiding handshakes and standing at least 1 meter apart.

“Based on the measures determined by the authorities, the council trained mosque committees and imams on the regulations such as the use of face masks and ensuring physical distance,” he said.  

“Today is the first Friday prayers since March and the Kuwaiti mosque is the role model with the COVID-19 measures and then other mosques will follow next Friday,” he said.

Awuol revealed that the prayers will be very short, saying that imams have been advised not prolong the sermons. “Regarding the regulator prayers like evening prayers, at least 30 worshippers are allowed to pray together,” he explained.

South Sudan has so far reported more than 2,500 infections and 47 deaths from the disease.