Egypt’s Ministry of Culture is preparing to resume cultural activities starting July 15, or possibly before that date, Minister of Culture Enas Abdel Dayem announced on Wednesday.
The ministry, Abdel Dayem said, has set up two open-air theaters to allow events to resume while maintaining social distancing precautions, but plans to keep Cairo Opera House’s main hall closed until further notice.
During a phone interview with the television program “Al-Hayat Al-Youm,” Abdel Dayem said that the two theaters are located in the Cairo Opera House complex and al-Hanager Theater Square.
The theaters will host daily performances and ceremonies at a capacity of 25 percent, she added.
Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly announced in a press conference on Tuesday that new precautionary measures will be implemented starting June 27.
These measures include reopening restaurants and cafes at 25 percent customer capacity, a first step toward a gradual reopening. Shisha smoking, however, will remain banned.
Hotels will be reopened at 50 percent occupancy rates. Shops and commercial malls will close at 9 pm while restaurants and cafes will close at 10 pm.
Public parks and beaches will remain closed for the time being.
Mass transportation will operate from 9 am to midnight.
Houses of worship will reopen for daily rituals, with precautionary measures such as closing toilets and affiliated events halls, but weekly collective rituals such as Friday mosque prayers and Sunday church prayers will remain suspended.
Clubs, youth centers, cultural facilities and cinemas will also be allowed to reopen at 25 percent capacity.
