Temples, churches reopen in Oman with COVID-19 safety measures in place

Temples, churches reopen in Oman with COVID-19 safety measures in place

A temple in Muscat. Photo: Wikimedia CommonsMuscat: Temples and churches in Oman have reopened with all measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 in place.The Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs (MARA) had allowed the reopening of temples and churches in the country, after they had been temporarily shut during the pandemic, with an official listing the precautions required for them to operate.“The measures required for them are the same as the ones taken for the reopening of mosques,” said the MARA official.“These include physical spacing, sterilising hands, wearing masks during their time spent in the church or temple, avoiding shaking each other's hands, avoiding touching surfaces and objects as much as possible and preventing overcrowding while entering or leaving the premises, and a commitment to stay at home if a person exhibits any relevant symptoms.”“The decision to allow places of worship to reopen was taken on 13 December,” added the MARA official. “This is providing they follow all the precautionary measures required.”A representative of a church in Muscat did confirm what the ministry had said.“Only some religious facilities have resumed so far,” said Father Shijo Scaria, the vicar of St Mary's Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church in Muscat, which is