Wales re-entered lockdown on Sunday 20th December 2020, this was an Alert Level Four lockdown, a new system in operation in Wales.
As of 15th February 2021, Wales continues in lockdown. Both the UK Government (Prime Minister Boris Johnson) and the Welsh Government (First Minister Mark Drakeford) have discussed the possibilities of changes in coming weeks or months. This is due to the falling number of cases in Wales and the United Kingdom as well as the roll-out of the vaccine. It is important to note however that nothing has yet been announced or confirmed, and as such, you should continue to follow the following rules:
- People will not be allowed to mix with anyone they do not live with. However, single person households are allowed to form a support bubble with one other household.
- Non-essential shops will close, including gyms beauty-salons and hairdressers. Restaurants will only be open for takeaway.
- Mosques can remain open for ritual obligation worship only whilst maintaining social distancing regulations and must have carried out risk assessments.
- Worshipers must not congregate outside the masjid before and after the prayer.
- Nikkah and Janazah can take place, but within the safe limits of the mosque, and only the specific ceremony.
- All children organised activities are not to take place, thus the madrasah or maktab cannot continue in the mosque. Many mosques will go back to providing this service online.
- Travel is only for essential purposes.
The Muslim Council of Wales will contact mosques, Islamic organisations, and other members should there be any changes announced and release information on what this means or mosques and religious activities.
In the meantime, we pray your continued safety.
Remember the three key things to help limit the spread of coronavirus, hands, face, space.
