Egypt suspends shows in cinemas, theaters amid fears of COVID19

CAIRO – 17 March 2020: All shows at cinemas and theaters were suspended in Egypt on Wednesday amid fears of spread of the emerging Coronavirus (Covid-19) according Prime Minster Mostafa Madbouli.

The decision comes as part of the government’s precautionary measures and comprehensive plan to deal with any expected repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Minister of Culture Inas Abdel Dayem issued a set of decisions to confront the spread of coronavirus in various sectors of the ministry, in-line with the decisions taken by the Egyptian government.

President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi directed to prepare a national plan to combat the pandemic and provided LE 100 billion to face the dangers of the deadly virus, suspending schools for two weeks, and suspending aviation traffic inside Egyptian airports.

The Ministry of Culture decided to suspend all artistic and cultural events that include large groups of citizens until further notice as a precautionary measure to counter the spread of the coronavirus.

The ministry added in a press release, that the decision comes in implementation of the instructions of the Council of Ministers and as a preventive measure to counter the emerging Coronavirus pandemic.

In addition, Abdel Dayem decided to launch awareness campaigns to prevent the infectious viral diseases, especially the coronavirus, through the General Authority for Cultural Palaces in its various locations across Egypt.

The awareness campaigns are set to be held in cooperation with the directorates of health in the governorates and the Information and Decision Support Center in the Council of Ministers.