COVID-19 in Egypt: Wearing face masks to be obligatory in public areas

CAIRO - 26 April 2020: “In the future, wearing face masks will be obligatory in public places,” said Egyptian Cabinet spokesperson Nader Saad on Saturday, revealing that Egypt will take gradual steps to cope with the new coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

In a phone call with “Cairo Now” talk show on al-Hadath T.V. channel, Saad said that the crisis of COVID-19 will last until the end of 2020, noting that Egypt will increase the transportation means to prevent any possible crowding.

"The government will increase the production lines of medical equipment such as face masks," he continued.

Egypt’s House of Representatives passed new amendments to the Law of Health Precautions against Infectious Diseases No. 137 of 1908, granting the Ministry of Health larger powers to fight the outbreak of an infectious disease.

As per the newly-added articles, the minister of health has the authority to ask the individuals to wear medical face masks and other medical protective equipment while outside their homes in extremis. Violation of such measures is a crime that is punishable by a fine between LE 300 and LE 5,000.

As yet, the COVID-19 cases in Egypt have reached 4,319 and the mortality rate rose to 307 deaths. The number of coronavirus cases whose tests turned from positive to negative increased to 1,450, including 1,114 people who recovered from the virus.

Since mid-March, Egypt has taken strict measures to protect the public from the spread of the coronavirus. The government has taken gradual steps in dealing with the coronavirus spread, starting with suspending schools and universities, and international flights.

Furthermore, a night-time curfew has been imposed since March 24, 2020. Additionally, the Ministry of Awqaf [Endowment] extended the closure of the mosques and the places of worship nationwide until further notice.