The Egyptian government has extended a nationwide nighttime curfew until the end of the holy month of Ramadan to slow the spread of the new coronavirus.
The decision to extend for another 15 days the curfew and other precautionary measures, which were imposed on March 25, comes as Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouly said on Thursday that the government has been doing its best “to prevent an outbreak like the one witnessed in other countries.”
He urged Egyptians to “shoulder the responsibility” and comply with the measures.
Madbouly chaired on Thursday a cabinet session via video conference.
He said that more than 1,100 Egyptians have returned from Kuwait. “Many arrangements are being made, including setting up quarantine centers or establishing medical teams to oversee them.”
Egypt has reported 7,981 cases of COVID-19, including 1,887 patients who have recovered.
There have been 482 deaths.
Meanwhile, Coptic Orthodox Church spokesperson Boulos Halim said that no recommendations have been issued yet on the opening of Coptic churches in Egypt.
