The Ministry of Religious Affairs on Wednesday issued mandatory guidelines for offering prayers in congregation at mosques across the country during the seven-day tough lockdown from Thursday.

The ministry, which also made wearing masks mandatory, directed the elderly people, children and the sick to abstain from going to mosques, said a notification on Wednesday.

Besides, the notification said, each mosque should have enough soap, water and sanitizer to ensure health hygiene.

The ministry urged devotees to perform Sunnah prayers and ablution in their respective residences.

In its guideline, the ministry said, the devotees will have to bring their personal prayer mats as authorities will not be allowed to lay out carpets on mosque floors.

Local administrations will take legal action against those who will violate the directives, the notification added.