Egypt announces urgent decisions amid rising COVID infection rates

CAIRO – 5 May 2021: Egypt’s cabinet has announced a number of urgent decisions and regulations regarding Coronavirus situation in the country, amid the rising infection rates.

“Citizens do not realize how serious the pandemic is as it currently hits whole families,” Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said in a televised press conference on Wednesday.  

Madbouly added that a total of L.E. 1.7 million fines were collected thus far from citizens violating precautionary measures, like walking in the streets without wearing the medical masks.

Prime Minister Madbouly announced that shops, cafes, restaurants, Ramadan tents and malls will be closed at 9 pm as of Wednesday, and will last for two weeks.

He further added that concerts, weddings, meetings and conferences will be banned.  

According to his statements, Eid al-Fitr holiday will start from Wednesday 12th of May until Sunday 16th of May, and work will resume as of 17th of May.  

“Gardens, parks and public beaches will completely closed during Eid al-Fitr holiday,” Egypt’s PM Madbouly said.

For Eid prayers, worshippers will be able to perform the prayers at mosques that were allowed to host Friday prayers with same precautionary measures adopted. Children are not allowed to perform the prayers at mosques.

Regarding the situation in Egypt, Madbouly stressed that 35 percent of beds available at hospitals to receive COVID patients. He further ensured that the state has been following up, hour by hour, the oxygen storage, adding that there is currently enough storage at hospitals.

During the month of May, Egypt is set to receive 5 million doses of COVID vaccine.   

In his statements, Prime Minister Madbouly affirmed full solidarity and sympathy of Egyptian government and people with the friendly country of India, after the deadly wave of Coronavirus that the hit the country.