Mosques across Jakarta, Indonesia, have been asked to form internal teams to oversee the implementation of COVID-19 health protocols during Ramadan.

The decision, issued by the Jakarta Provincial Government, comes as mosques will remain open during the fasting month.

However, there is a strong official request that each mosque should maintain health restrictions to protect worshippers.

“Because a number of Ramadan activities have the potential to attract crowds, we hope that mosques and places of worship will form a health protocol monitoring team,” said the city’s Education and Mental Spiritual Bureau Head, Muhammad Zen, on Tuesday, Tempo.co reported.

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The health protocols include limiting attendance to only 50% of the total capacity. Worshippers will also be required to wear face masks and maintain distance.

“All religious activities are allowed under health protocols because the pandemic is still ongoing,” Zen added.

Indonesia is the most populous Muslim state where Muslims make up 80% percent of the 220 million population.

Ramadan is the 9th month of the Hijri calendar and is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting. It commemorates the first revelation of the Qur’an to Prophet Muhammad.

During Ramadan fasting from dawn until sunset, Muslims refrain from consuming food, drinking liquids, smoking, and engaging in sexual relations) the same phrase.