Coronavirus changes the way people worship
Muslim countries, organisations and Islamic sites imposed new measures for worshippers and pilgrims
The spread of coronavirus has forced people around the world to avoid crowded places, reschedule inessential travel and taking precautionary measures such as working from home to avoid catching the new coronavirus.
Several countries have already urged their citizens to avoid close personal contacts like handshakes and hugs, and imposed restrictions on celebrating certain festivities.
Meanwhile, Religious authorities have also advised people to pray the holy days without risking the spread of coronavirus.
Coronavirus is changing the way Muslims worship across the world: Muslim countries, organisations and Islamic sites imposed new measures for worshippers and pilgrims.
Saudi bans 'Umrah' pilgrimage
Saudi Arabia banned Umrah, a pilgrimage can be completed in a few hours at any time of the year, according to the state-run Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
The move was a precautionary measure taken by Saudi authorities to prevent the spread of the virus in the state as people from home and abroad perform Umrah.
Last week, Saudi Arabia said it was preventing foreigners from reaching the holy city of Mecca and the Kaaba, the building at the centre of the Great Mosque. It also said travel was suspended to Prophet Muhammad's mosque in Medina.
Iran halts Friday prayers
With a rising number of cases and deaths each day, Iran is also struggling to contain the virus. All the Friday prayers in all provincial capitals have been halted in Iran as a precaution measure.
"This disease is a widespread one," Iranian President Hassan Rouhani told his cabinet, according to a transcript.
Use own prayer mats, avoid shaking hands: Singapore Muslim leader
Masagos Zulkifli, a minister in charge of Muslim affairs in Singapore, has advised Muslims to bring their own prayer mats to mosques and refrain from shaking hands with one another, according to The Straits Times.
"In these circumstances, we will not be shaking hands. But if you do, wash your hands, and then make sure you don't touch your face. This is just a precaution for many of us who always forget that," he said.
UK group calls on Muslim institutions to follow hygiene advice
The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), one of the United Kingdom's largest Muslim umbrella organisations, has called on mosques and Islamic schools to keep your congregations safe, by following the government's advice.
It advised madrassas, or schools, to encourage handwashing and said mosques should have enough soap and hand sanitisers available, especially near ablution areas.
Tajikistan asks Muslims to pray at home
Tajikistan has suspended its Friday prayers.
The Muslim-majority country of nine million has shut its border to neighbours China and Afghanistan as well as South Korea, Iran and Italy.
Here's a look at other religions are adapting to the threat of coronavirus:
Christianity
In Bethlehem, doors are closed at the Church of the Nativity. Across Manger Square, the Omar Ben Khatab mosque stands empty as well.
Pope Francis delivered the Angelus prayer via video link instead of giving his weekly Sunday greeting at the window in St Peter's Square in Rome, reported CNN.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has closed several temples and limited or temporarily suspended gatherings in Hong Kong, Mongolia, South Korea, Japan and Seattle.
Judaism
Given the outbreak in some communities, Jewish leaders are making tough calls on whether they will be able to adjust some of the usual traditions -- or whether they'll have to scrap them altogether.
Israel's Ministry of Health has banned large community events and mass gatherings of more than 5,000 people, meaning many cities have had to cancel their Purim celebrations.
Other traditions are being affected too.
Hinduism
India's Prime Minister Narenda Modi said he won't attend next week's Holi celebrations -- the Hindu festival that marks the coming of spring and involves revelers throwing brightly colored powder -- because of the guidance to avoid large gatherings.
The country's authorities have also advised states to avoid mass gatherings too.
In the UK and Europe, all events and religious assemblies at BAPS Swaminarayan mandirs have been canceled or postponed until further notice.
Other forms of worship are still available to devotees. People can visit mandirs for darshan, the viewing of deities; arti, the ceremony of light; and abhishek, the practice of pouring water over the image of God.
Sikhism
A UK-based organization, Gurdwara Aid, has advised that Sikh gurdwaras increase their cleaning schedules in communal areas and make hand sanitizer and tissues widely available, reported CNN.
Buddhism
Buddhist temple has been closed as authorities investigate a cluster in Hong Kong of coronavirus cases linked to it.
The Cultural Corps of Korean Buddhism announced its suspension until March 20 its Templestay program, which allows participants to experience monastic Buddhist life at 137 temples around South Korea.
More changes may come
Many other religious leaders across the globe made the decisions to close houses of worship, ban large gatherings or modify their traditions acknowledge that their actions may be seen as disappointing or overcautious to some.