Some Senegalese mosques opened their doors on Friday after the government eased coronavirus restrictions, but others judged the rate of infection too high and stayed shut.

The President, Macky Sall said this week that public prayers could resume in the West African country, provided that mosques obey social-distancing rules.

More than 90 percent of Senegal is Muslim and most of the faithful follow Sufi brotherhoods, which retain considerable influence in the nation of 16 million people.

In the seaside capital Dakar on Friday, thousands of worshippers flocked to Massalikul Jinaan mosque -- which is one of West Africa's largest and belongs to the powerful Mouride brotherhood, according to AFP journalists.

Mosque spokesman Mor Daga Sylla said that religious authorities had insisted the faithful wash their hands and keep one metre away from one another.