 Print
Mosque Closures part of Province-wide restrictions
11-19-2020
Thursday November 19th, 2020 – BC Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has announced wide-ranging new rules for as another 538 cases of the disease caused by the novel coronavirus have been confirmed in B.C.
As of Thursday, there are 6,929 active cases of the virus across the province — the highest total to date — including a record high 217 patients in hospital, of whom 59 are in intensive care.
"We're seeing increased community transmissions and effects on our hospitals in all areas of the province," Henry said
"We need to relieve the stress on our health-care systems, or else people with all types of urgent care needs will suffer."
Dr. Henry announced a long list of new orders and recommendations to Control the rise of covid-19 cases which include:
-
All indoor and outdoor community and social events suspended for the next two weeks, even if they're under 50 people.
-
In-person faith services suspended.
-
No spectators allowed at any indoor or outdoor sport, and no travelling outside the local community for sports.
-
Businesses are being asked to suspend any returns to the office for employees who've been working at home.
-
They're also being told to re-evaluate whether safety plans are appropriate and being followed.
-
Inspections of businesses and enforcement of public health orders are being stepped up.
-
Officials are asking everyone not to travel outside their communities for non-essential reasons and asking people from other provinces to postpone their trips here.
-
Funerals, weddings and baptisms are permitted as long as fewer than 10 people are involved and there is no reception.
-
Medical group meetings including addiction support sessions are permitted as long as COVID safety plans are in place.
-
The order for mandatory masks.
She said she is extending an earlier order limiting social gatherings in the Fraser Health and Vancouver Coastal Health regions until Dec. 7 and making it apply provincewide.
Among the orders she also suspended In-person religious gatherings and worship services. For example:
· Do not attend a church, synagogue or mosque service
Religious services can continue using remote or virtual attendance options, like Zoom or Skype.
Following the announcements, Local Mosques have also closed the Mosques facilities for regular prayers and Friday Prayers.
BCMA and Pakistan Canada Association issued the following statements.
 “Please be informed that further to the British Columbia Public Health Officer’s order on province-wide restrictions to control COVID-19, effective midnight tonight , all BCMA masajid and centers shall be closed for prayers.
Our funerals services shall continue with a maximum of 10 people including the imam.
Your cooperation regarding this matter shall be highly appreciated.
May Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala make it easy for all of us.
Footnotes:
|