The Egyptian Cabinet on Thursday denied rumors that it would allow sports clubs to resume activities on June 15.
The Cabinet explained that it has only allowed sporting facilities to receive fees from members from June 15 to June 30, and has given them permission to upgrade and renovate their facilities during this period.
The clubs, however, will not be allowed to resume any sporting activities at this time.
Meanwhile, Egyptian Information Minister Osama Heikal on Thursday announced that Egypt will reopen its tourism and aviation sectors in the coastal governorates starting July 1.
Egypt’s coastal areas, Heikal pointed out, have seen far fewer coronavirus infections than other parts of the country.
The Egyptian government on Thursday also decided to reduce the country’s curfew hours starting Sunday. The curfew will now be from 8 pm to 4 am, Heikal said.
The government will also study the prospect of reopening houses of worship as of July 1 in governorates that are less affected by the coronavirus, he added.
Egypt on Thursday confirmed 1,442 new coronavirus cases, bringing the country’s number of confirmed total cases so far to 39,726.
Thirty-five cases died Thursday bringing total deaths to 1,377.
Health Ministry Spokesperson Khaled Megahed added that the total number of fully-recovered cases rose to 10,691, all of whom have been discharged from isolation hospitals.
Megahed added that the governorates that recorded the highest rate of coronavirus infection are Cairo, Giza and Qalyubia, while the governorates of the Red Sea, Matruh and South Sinai recorded the lowest rates of infections.
Photo caption: Gezira Sports Club – captured by Al-Masry Al-Youm.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
