The Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia Installed Sterilization Gates At The Grand Mosque

JAKARTA - The Saudi Arabian government has installed several sophisticated sterilization gates at the entrances of the Grand Mosque, Mecca. These smart gates are equipped with various sophisticated tools such as thermal cameras to spary sanitizers that can be sprayed from head to toe.

Quoting The Gulf-insider, the installation of this device was carried out as a precautionary measure to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus. These smart gates have been installed at the Prophet's Mosque and the Grand Mosque.

Its shape, which is like a 1-2 meter long hallway, allows the congregation to be automatically scanned and sprayed with disinfectant before entering the mosque.

According to the explanation of the Grand Mosque administrator, this sterilization gate is also equipped with a thermal camera that can scan the body temperature of each congregation from a distance of 6 meters. The congregation's body temperature will be recorded in real-time which can be monitored by the officer.

Not only installed in the Prophet's Mosque and the Grand Mosque. These smart gates will also be installed at all entrances of King Abdul Aziz Airport.

Previously, the kingdom of Saudi Arabia began to slowly ease its lockdown, which was marked by the re-opening of shops and places of worship to the public. Even so, the Arab government still enforces strict health protocols, both checking body temperature and maintaining distance or physical distancing.

King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud also allows Tarawih prayer activities during Ramadan at the Grand Mosque, but on the condition that the congregation is obliged to maintain a distance when performing worship. After that, the Grand Mosque was again closed and sterilized to avoid potential contamination of the COVID-19 virus.

Even though it has begun to be relaxed, the Government of Saudi Arabia continues to urge the public to stay indoors. Makkah city residents also still impose a 24-hour ban on leaving their homes, except for essential purposes.

Based on statistical records, until Friday, May 8, the total number of cases of COVID-19 infection in Saudi Arabia reached 33,731 with 219 deaths. Meanwhile 7,798 patients have been declared cured.