Egypt’s metro, railway, and public transport sectors will begin on Sunday issuing an instant fine of LE50 to passengers without face masks.
Amid a second wave of coronavirus, the country’s Transport Ministry tightened its precautionary measures and decided on the instant fine to encourage riders to wear the mask.
Chairman of the National Railways Authority, Ashraf Raslan, stressed the importance of wearing a mask and following all precautionary measures. He also assured that the authority is working hard to continually disinfect and sterilize trains and railway stations.
Metro authorities stressed that inspectors, in coordination with the Transport Police, will be checking passenger cars to ensure all are complying with the mandate.
Egypt’s Health Ministry on Friday confirmed 1,409 new coronavirus cases and 56 deaths.
The country has now confirmed a total of 139,471 cases, 7,687 deaths, and 112,826 recovered cases.
Egypt has officially entered the second wave of the pandemic, after cases rose steadily throughout November and December.
Government officials continue to urge the public to adhere to precautionary measures against the virus, and the Egyptian Cabinet has called on authorities to strictly enforce the country’s mask mandate, which applies to all public transportation and indoor public spaces.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
