Egypt to resume foreign flights to S. Sinai, Red Sea July: Commission

CAIRO – 11 June 2020: The Egyptian state’s high commission to manage the coronavirus crisis said the country will resume international flights to the coastal governorates impacted the least with the novel virus, starting July.

The decision includes the governorates of South Sinai, the Red Sea and Matrouh. South Sinai includes cities of Sharm El-Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba' and Taba, known to be among the most popular tourist attractions in the northeastern African country. Red Sea includes Hurghada.

Egypt has so far reported 38,284 coronavirus cases, 1,342 deaths due to the novel virus and 10,289 recoveries.

State Minister of Media and Information Osama Heikal earlier on Thursday said public gardens and beaches will continue to be closed in all governorates until June 30.

The government will shorten curfew hours nationwide to start on 8 P.M. and end on 4 A.M. instead of 5 A.M., starting Sunday, June 14th.

The Egyptian state has set a plan to restore all activities in the country step by step, the state minister said.

The state is also considering reopening worship places in the governorates impacted least by coronavirus (COVID-19) starting July, he added.

Commercial centers and shops nationwide will be allowed to open daily until 6 P.M. instead of 5 P.M.



Health Minister Hala Zayed on Wednesday said the rate of increase in coronavirus infection in the country is still within the safe range compared to other countries with similar population.

In a meeting with President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouli, Zayed said the number of critical coronavirus cases has decreased and the rate of death with the novel virus has been stable. She added that recoveries have also increased.

Zayed also discussed updates of the ministry’s strategy in dealing with coronavirus, including extracting plasma from recovered cases, to treat patients with critical condition. She affirmed that plasma therapy has proved to be effective.