Iran’s Health Minister Saeed Namaki has announced that Friday prayers will not be held this week in coronavirus-affected cities in Iran, according to state news agency IRNA. Namaki specified the cancellation only applied to this Friday

“All these decisions are temporary," Namaki added.

While the minister did not specify which cities are under the moratorium, the city of Qom — which is Iran’s coronavirus epicenter — and capital city Tehran are likely to be included.

Congregational Friday prayers is a mainstay of public life in Iran.