Authorities in Ras Al Khaimah announced strict Covid-19 precautionary measures to be followed during Ramadan.
Maj Gen Ali Abdullah Al Nuaimi, commander-in-chief of the Ras Al Khaimah Police and the head of the Local Emergency Crisis and Disaster Team in the emirate, said restrictions would be placed on family and community iftars to limit the spread of the virus.
Distributing meals inside or in front of restaurants, homes and mosques would not be allowed.
Those who wish to give iftar meals should co-ordinate with a legal charitable organisation or a restaurant.
Munther Al Zaabi, director general of Ras Al Khaimah Municipal Department, said meal boxes could be distributed in labour accommodations but gatherings are prohibited.
A safe distance of two metres must be maintained between people who come to collect meals and face masks must be worn at all times.
"Meals must be placed in boxes or bags and closed tightly," he said
Mr Al Zaabi also urged restaurants to maintain hygiene standards on their premises.
They should also ensure the health and safety of their employees and provide them with masks and gloves.
Restaurants can serve guests but gatherings are prohibited. Those who fail to abide by the rules will be fined.
This month, the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai cancelled all permits for Ramadan tents in the emirate this year.
The department said the move aimed to prevent large gatherings and any possible breach of social distancing rules.
During the holy month, it is normal for mosques to host social gatherings for workers and provide them with free meals during iftar.
But the new measures are in place to protect public health and safety.
Ramadan 2020 – in pictures
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A Bosnian Muslims woman with face mask, prays in front of the Mosque, during Muslims' holy month of Ramadan, in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. EPA -
Pakistani cobblers make traditional Peshawari Chappal shoes ahead of the Eid al-Fitr in Peshawar, Pakistan. EPA -
People rush to shop for the Eid holiday that marks the end of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan after the government relaxed a weeks-long lockdown that was enforced to help curb the spread of the coronavirus, in Quetta, Pakistan. AP Photo -
A couple wearing face masks shops at a mall as people prepare for the upcoming Eid al-Fitr celebrations, the religious festival that marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan amid the ongoing coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. EPA -
Workers arranges cookies on trays for delivery at a bakery ahead of the Muslim festival of Eid al-Fitr in Srinagar. AFP -
A worker arranges cookies on a tray for delivery at a bakery ahead of the Muslim festival of Eid al-Fitr in Srinagar. AFP -
A volunteer of the "Nass el-Khir" association, wearing mask due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, prepares food for meals to be distributed among those in need during the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, in Algeria's capital Algiers. AFP -
Volunteers of the "Nass el-Khir" association package meal boxes before being distributed among those in need during the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, in Algeria's capital Algiers. AFP -
Hairdressers wearing protective suits work at a barber shop ahead of Muslim festival of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, amid the ongoing coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic in Sanaa, Yemen. EPA -
Saudis exercise with an online video with the aim of collecting donations to support needy families during the holy month of Ramadan, following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. REUTERS -
A Pakistani tries traditional coat ahead of Eid al-Fitr in Peshawar, Pakistan. EPA -
Porters waits to receive free ration distributed by Saylani trust as trains operations are shut amid lockdown due to the ongoing coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in Karachi, Pakistan. EPA
