Presidency announces comprehensive strategy to curb coronavirus spread

CAIRO – 16 March 2020: The Egyptian state institutions and ministries are acting within the framework of a comprehensive strategy to fight the spread of the novel coronavirus nationwide, Presidential spokesman Bassam Radi told FM 95 on Monday.

This comes a day after President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi ordered allocating LE 100 billion ($6.4 billion), to fund an anti-coronavirus strategy and related precautionary measures.

This money was allocated by the Finance Ministry from the state budget, Radi said, adding that it will be added as a reserve for an emergency plan to fight this virus, including steps to stop any possible related repercussions during the next period.

Sisi, in a meeting with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli on Saturday, also ordered a temporary closure of schools and universities, to help curb the spread of the deadly disease.

Cairo University took advantage of this temporary closure. University head Mohamed Al-Khosht, in an interview with Egypt Today, said the hostels will be filly sterilized, as part of precautionary measures.

Khosht added that the university has a comprehensive plan to proceed with the educational curricula online during the 15-year suspension.

As for schools, the Health Ministry on Sunday said a sterilization process will start at all schools nationwide starting Friday.

The Health Ministry recently said it recorded 16 new coronavirus cases, who were in direct contact with previously confirmed patients except one of them, bringing the total number of coronavirus patients in the North African country to 126.

The ministry also released five cases from quarantine after they received proper medical care, in accordance with the guidelines of the World Health Organization and were treated, the ministry spokesman said, adding that the total number of those recovering from the new virus has reached 26 cases.