Egyptian citizen dies from coronavirus in Saudi Arabia

CAIRO – 12 April 2020: A third Egyptian citizen died in Saudi Arabia from the coronavirus (COVID-19), according to a report sent by the Egyptian Embassy in Riyadh to the minister of manpower, as Saudi Arabia has recorded more than 50 deaths due to the novel virus.

Hossam Ismail’s wife, Madiha Fakhry, a professor at Al-Qassim University in the central province of Qassim; and his daughter both were infected and were put into quarantine, according to the report.

Since the aviation suspension started in Egypt in March, EgyptAir, the Egyptian flag carrier, has operated exceptional flights to countries including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, United Kingdom, Oman, and France to transport Egyptians who want to return to their homeland.

Supporting Egyptian citizens in the Kingdom, Saudi Arabia decided in March to extend visas of Egyptians who were unable to leave the Kingdom, through the electronic services of Absher and Muqeem.

King Salman bin Abdel Aziz of Saudi Arabia has ordered the extension of the ongoing curfew until further notice as part of efforts aiming at mitigating the spread of the novel coronavirus, Egyptian state’s news agency MENA reported.

According to the Saudi Press Agency, the order was announced by an official source at the Ministry of Interior late Saturday.

The ministry urged everyone in the kingdom to abide by the royal order to maintain their health and safety.

It said all special precautions that were announced before in cities, governorates and residential areas remain unchanged.