Photo taken on March 21, 2020 shows a closed mosque in Cairo, Egypt. Egypt announced on Saturday two more deaths from COVID-19 and nine new cases of infection, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 294 in the country. Earlier on Saturday, Egyptian mosques and churches announced suspension of mass prayers nationwide for two weeks amid the country's precautionary measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. (Photo by Mohamed El Raai/Xinhua)

Photo taken on March 21, 2020 shows a closed mosque in Cairo, Egypt. Egypt announced on Saturday two more deaths from COVID-19 and nine new cases of infection, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 294 in the country. Earlier on Saturday, Egyptian mosques and churches announced suspension of mass prayers nationwide for two weeks amid the country's precautionary measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. (Photo by Mohamed El Raai/Xinhua)

Egyptian mosques and churches officially announced on Saturday suspension of mass prayers nationwide for two weeks amid the country's precautionary measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Egypt's Ministry of Religious Endowments, which is in charge of the country's Muslim mosques, said in a statement on Saturday that the decision came in line with the Islamic Law and the national interests.

The Islamic ministry also decided to temporarily change the regular prayer call, replacing the phrase "Come to prayer!" to "Pray at home!"

It added that preserving human souls is "one of the most important purposes" of Islamic Law.

Egypt's Al-Azhar, the top Sunni Islamic institution in Egypt and the whole world, has previously allowed halting the Muslim daily and weekly congregational prayers to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, the country's Coptic Orthodox Church similarly decided on Saturday to halt mass prayers at all churches across the country for two weeks due to "the rapid spread of COVID-19 in various countries across the world, including our beloved country Egypt."

The top church in Egypt also shut down condolence halls at all churches, limiting a funeral at any church to the family of the deceased, and suspended visits to all monasteries nationwide.

Egypt has confirmed so far 285 COVID-19 cases of locals and foreigners since COVID-19 first appeared in the county in mid-February, including eight deaths and 39 recoveries.

The country has recently taken strict precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the virus, including temporary closure of schools and universities, suspending flights, reducing employees and sterilizing means of transport, government offices, hotels and tourist attractions.

Egypt also decided to temporarily close coffee shops, night clubs, malls, restaurants and other entertainment places from early evening to early morning over coronavirus concerns.

Also on Saturday, the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced shutting down all museums and archeological sites and attractions nationwide from March 23 to March 31 for sterilization to prevent the spread of COVID-19.