Egypt re-bans public gathering, shisha

CAIRO- 10 December 2021: Egypt has taken tougher measures against coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic as the higher committee for novel coronavirus crisis management banned public gatherings and hookah (Shisha), imposed wearing masks in public areas and in transportation.

 

Wearing face masks is obligatory in all public areas, including restaurants, cafes, cinemas, cultural places, educational institutes and universities, transportation means, worship places and all entertainment avenues, the decision of the committee said. Those who abstained from wearing masks would not be allowed to enter these places.

 

The decision included the prohibition of holding wedding celebrations or funerals in closed places, besides banning birthday parties in open or closed places.

 

Those who were not administered anti-coronavirus vaccines are barred from entry into the state administrative bodies. Otherwise, they should bring a negative PCR certificate, the decision said.

 

The religious rituals should be held in only major worship places with taking all the preventive measures. As for wedding ceremonies are limited inside major mosques. Also, toilets should be opened only few minutes before holding the congregational prayers.

 

All arrivals to Egypt through the ground, air, and maritime transportation shall be fully vaccinated, shall provide a negative PCR certificate or he/she shall conduct PCR tests upon their arrival at airports or other outlets, the decision said, adding that these rules are not applied to children under 12 years old.

 

This decision was enacted on Thursday, a day after being published in the official newspaper “Al-Waqa'i' al-Misriyya.”

 

At the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic in Egypt in March 2020, the government had taken tightened measures of a partial curfew, banning public gatherings, closing worship places, etc.