The Governor of the Far North Region, Midjiyawa Bakari has called on all Muslim Faithful in the region to respect COVID-19 barrier measures as embarked on the Ramadan fasting.

He met in Maroua last week with all stakeholders to discuss the fasting season which takes place in a period marked by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The fast of the month of Ramadan, one of the five pillars of Islam, began on Tuesday, April 12, 2021. A month of deprivation and prayer during which many faithful Muslims go to mosques. In a context marked by the resurgence of cases of covid-19, the governor of the Far North region, Midjiyawa Bakari, stressed Mosques must conduct prayers in strict respect of the barrier measures.

“From the 1st day of Ramadan, the mosques which will be outside the prescriptions of the barrier measures will be closed and it is non-negotiable”, Midjiyawa Bakari warned.

According to figures released by the governor, as of April 8, 2021, the region has recorded 1,780 confirmed cases, 1,600 recoveries, 284 patients who are being followed and 31 cases of death. All six divisions in the region are affected by the pandemic, he said.

“We have mobilized the various imams to ensure the respect of barrier measures in mosques; especially during the big Friday prayers. We have taken measures to respect social distancing and the compulsory wearing of masks by the faithful. And among the faithful, we have delegated those who play the role of vigilance committee and who are at the entrance of each mosque to check the systematic wearing of masks and the respect of 50 persons per gathering,” said Majesty Yacouba Mohamadou Mourtalla, Lamido of Mokolo.