China has reportedly banned pigeons from flying in the nation’s capital ahead of the Communist country’s 70th birthday celebration.

Beijing’s municipal government warned of the restriction in the city’s seven major districts with a notice on Sunday that outlined how the birds and a number of other flying objects could “affect flight safety” during the Oct. 1 military parade, according to a Quartz translation.

“In the restricted flying areas, pigeon and other bird owners must keep the animals in pens and prohibit them from flying,” the notice reads.

“Pigeon associations must also supervise their members, clubs and public pens to comply with the rules.”

The regulations are meant as a safety measure to protect military planes, peace doves, and celebration balloons that will be set off on the anniversary, the report said.

Anybody who disobeys the restrictions could face punishments and criminal sanctions.

The notice likely singled out pigeons since the capital city is still home to hundreds of thousands of pigeon keepers, the report said, citing a local Beijing newspaper.