With Ramadan around the corner, TV production companies are racing to complete the much-anticipated Ramadan soaps in time for the Muslim fasting month. But for the cast and crew members, keeping the cameras rolling has been particularly challenging this year due to the restrictions in place to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.

In much of the Arab World, the popular Ramadan soap operas have become a staple of the fasting month. Families and friends gather around televisions at home or in coffee shops to watch the post-Iftar soaps.

Ramadan would not be the same without the shows that keep millions entertained into the early hours when it is time for Suhoor, the last meal before the following day's fast. The soaps are often the predominant topic in lively conversations at Iftar gatherings or when socializing with friends and neighbors after the meal, as is customary during Ramadan.

This year, however, those longstanding Ramadan traditions are being tested by the measures in place to stem the spread of COVID-19. The Egyptian government has imposed a partial curfew and banned public gatherings as part of broader plans to stop the virus. The action has impacted filming, which often continues well into the night and involves large crews.