RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah, and Guidance on Friday temporarily shut down six mosques in two regions after a number of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases were confirmed among worshippers. Virus cases have led to 269 mosques being forced to temporarily close over the past 33 days, with 253 reopening after sanitization measures were completed. The ministry said that three of the mosques were in Riyadh, and three in the Northern Borders region. Nine mosques have been reopened, including four in Riyadh, two in Makkah, and one in each of the regions of Tabuk, Jazan, and the Northern Borders. The decisions came after precautionary measures, including sanitization and maintenance, were carried out. The ministry praised the cooperation of worshippers and mosque employees in complying with health and safety requirements. Authorities will continue to sanitize and clean mosques and implement measures to ensure the safety of visitors, the ministry added.