ABU DHABI — The cannon firing ceremony to announce Iftar time during the holy month of Ramadan will continue in the United Arab Emirates but without spectators this year, the state news WAM reported on Thursday. The general public — both citizens as well residents — has been asked to stay away from the firing sites as part of the precautionary measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Col. Talib Abu Talib from the Support Units Command told the UAE’s Arabic-language daily Al Khaleej" that nine sites have been selected for the Ramadan cannons this year, including four in Abu Dhabi, one in Umm Al Qaiwain and one in Ras Al Khaimah. "The Ceremonies Squadron of the Support Units Command fired three rounds on Thursday immediately after the announcement of Ramadan. The Squadron will fire one round every day to announce Iftar time and three rounds to announce Eid Al Fitr at the end of the holy month," he added. The cannons entered service in 1970 by the then Abu Dhabi Defense Force. It was re-introduced as a means to announce Iftar time in 2014 after restructuring the Ceremonies Squadron within the Support Units Command. He added that the cannon firing is done in a number of emirates throughout the holy month with an aim to preserve customs and traditions of the Emirati society.