Cairo and Giza rank first in the number of coronavirus cases in Egypt according to data presented by the Minister of Health during a Wednesday cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said.
He stressed the need to closely look into the situation of the two governorates and examine the various factors leading to the higher number of infections there, he added, alongside more firmly enforcing all precautionary and preventive measures.
Directing his speech towards the nation’s governors, Madbouly urged them to strictly implement the preventive measures, forbid any gatherings in the public squares of each governorates and conduct follow-ups to ensure that these measures are being implemented.
He also called to ensure the implementation of Tuesday’s decisions issued by the cabinet regarding the shuttering of cafes, cafeterias, casinos, cabarets and all sports clubs, gyms, malls, public parks, beaches across the country during Eid al-Fitr, alongside the ban on mass transportation.
Any citizens not wearing face masks will not be allowed to enter any government or service establishment, Madbouly said, a rule that extends to mass transportation such as minibuses, buses, metro and trains.
Madbouly issued a decision on Tuesday instituting additional precautionary and preventive measures to address the spread of coronavirus pandemic following the Eid al-Fitr holiday.
The Prime Minister’s decree — which will take effect May 30 — will oblige all individuals to wear a face mask when entering or working in markets, businesses, government installations, private establishments and banks, and while riding in public or private mass transportation.
The decision also stipulated that violation of these rules can result in a fine of up to LE 4,000 and/or imprisonment.
Madbouly announced on Sunday that life in Egypt will begin to return back to normal by mid-June, with some of the restrictions currently in place to be lifted.
During a press conference on Sunday, he added that sports activities and youth centers are expected to resume operation at that time.
The government will also consider reopening restaurants and returning religious rituals to places of worship.
The coronavirus will not disappear, he said, but the government will work to ensure the safety of its citizens alongside a return to normal life and productivity.
He added that precautionary measures to coexist with the coronavirus — the most important of which is wearing face masks in public — will remain in place even after life returns to normal.
