Cairo – Egypt, on Sunday announced that it would mull over a return to normal life after mid-June as it said the novel coronavirus would “remain and will not disappear.”
Egypt’s Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli told a news conference that starting in mid-June measures for the gradual return to normal life in various sectors would be announced.
“The virus will remain and will not disappear, and as a state and citizens, we have to be aware how to live with it,” he said.
He pointed out that the government will mull over the reopening of restaurants, mosques, churches, sports clubs, and youth centres with new precautionary measures.
Egypt had closed all these facilities and limited the work of restaurants to home delivery.
Madbouli also announced new precautions for the Muslim festival of Eid al-Fitr, including longer curfew hours to curb the spread of the virus.
Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, is due to start next Sunday and last for three days.
“Eid al-Fitr is a social occasion which is associated with large gatherings in streets and squares … which is an opportunity for the virus to spread,” Madbouli told a news conference.
Madbouli announced that a curfew from 5 p.m to 6 a.m (1500 – 0400 GMT) would be imposed during the Eid vacation, starting on Sunday and extending until Friday.
The curfew during Ramadan starts at 9 p.m, an hour later than before.
According to him, all commercial shops, malls, restaurants, places of entertainment, beaches, and parks will be closed over the six days in order to curb the spread of the virus.
Also, group transportation will be suspended over the period to control the movement of citizens.
Starting May 30, shops and malls will be allowed to reopen for two weeks from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
(dpa/NAN)