Tuesday, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced coronavirus measures that will be imposed nationwide ahead of the Holy Month of Ramadan as a precaution to curb cases during the month of religious fasting.

Ramadan is set to start on either April 13 or 14 pending the sighting of the moon. It is often celebrated with gatherings, mosque prayers and other social activities.

However, during the month in the emirate, everyone has been ordered to avoid family gatherings and food exchanges with people who are not members of the same household, according to the Ministry of Health and Prevention.

“For the health & safety of society, we advise all to avoid evening gatherings during Ramadan, limit family visits, & avoid distributing & exchanging meals between homes & families. Only members of the same family living in the same house can share meals,” said the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) on Twitter.

#NCEMA: For the health & safety of society, we advise all to avoid evening gatherings during Ramadan, limit family visits, & avoid distributing & exchanging meals between homes & families. Only members of the same family living in the same house can share meals#TogetherWeRecover

— NCEMA UAE (@NCEMAUAE) March 16, 2021

Notably they said that Iftar tents, and meals in front of mosques or other public places will not be permitted, and restuarants will be prohibited from meal distribution. However, meals can be distributed only in labor accommodations. Those who want to donate meals to workers must reach out to the management of the accommodation and a restaurant to distribute meal packets.

#NCEMA: Restaurants are prohibited from distributing iftar meals inside or in front of the restaurant, & their delivery is limited to labor housing complexes via direct coordination with the management of labour housing in each region, taking social distancing into account.

— NCEMA UAE (@NCEMAUAE) March 16, 2021

Taraweeh prayers, which are ritual prayers performed by Muslims at night following Isha prayers during the holy month of Ramadan, will only be allowed under strict measures. Isha and Taraweeh prayers will be limited to a maximum of 30 minutes, said the authority.

They added that mosques will be closed directly after prayer, while women’s prayer areas, other facilities, and external roads praying areas will remain closed.

The UAE urged everyone to adhere to the measures, noting that the authorities will conduct intensive inspection tours during Ramadan, and legal measures will be taken against all violators.