The National Chief Imam has called on the Muslim community to take precautionary measures to prevent contracting the deadly coronavirus.

Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu said Muslims in their dealings should avoid crowded places.

This follows an order by President Akufo-Addo for the ban on public gatherings including religious ones and closure of all schools as his administration moves to stem the spread of the pandemic.

Earlier on Sunday afternoon, health authorities announced that six cases of the disease have been recorded in the country within a period of fewer than 48 hours.

Some churches during various services yesterday, observed safety protocols like increased spacing of seats, reduced personal contact among others prior to government’s directive to suspend public gatherings.

Addressing the press at his Fadama residence Monday, the cleric asked the Muslim community to not only avoid social gathering, but suspend handshake in the mosques, and make provisions for water and hand sanitizers at the places of worship as a precaution.

“Avoid shaking of hands and crowded places so that we don’t get into contact with any potential sufferer. Repeatedly washing your hands has also been emphasised…

"We need to supply hand sanitisers at the entry points of mosques,” he explained through his spokesperson Sheikh Aremeyaw Shaibu.

According to him, the directive geared towards reducing the transmission of COVID-19 is grounded in sound Islamic principles such as “love for life, preservation and protection of life.

He further explained that these guidelines help to promote “good health because the spirit that moves us around dwells in this body. For us to be able to worship we need to be physically fit.”

Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu also urged calm among the populace as the various health agencies work around the clock to clamp down on the novel coronavirus.