Egypt’s Ministry of Health: Cafes, entertainment venues should remain closed

CAIRO - 14 May 2020: The Egyptian Ministry of Health has recommended that entertainment venues should remain closed nationwide in the coming period to curb the spread of the new coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Cinemas, theaters, cafes, fitness halls, and sports clubs should remain closed during the period of coexisting with the coronavirus in light of the first phase of the ministry’s plan to cope with the virus set to start at the beginning of June.

The ministry also recommended keeping the ban of weddings and funerals, and suspending universities, schools, kindergartens and nurseries.

On April 29, 2020, Health Minister Hala Zayed reviewed the ministry’s plan that fulfills the state’s strategy to coexist with the novel virus in the coming period, as the end of the crisis is not yet in sight.

In a meeting with Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouli via video conferencing, the minister noted that the plan is based on following all the necessary measures in various facilities and reassessing the epidemiological situation every 14 days. He affirmed the need for state institutions to set immediate penalties for violators of these measures.

As yet, the number of COVID-19 cases in Egypt reached 10,413 patients and 556 deaths, according to the ministry’s official data. Meanwhile, the number of those who recovered from the virus registered 2,980 people.