Egypt will deduct 1 percent from people’s salaries for 12 months beginning on July 1 to offset the economic repercussions of the coronavirus, according to a draft law approved by the cabinet on Wednesday.
The tax will be imposed across all sectors of the economy in both the public and private sectors for net monthly salaries exceeding EGP2,000 Egyptian pounds, the cabinet said in a statement. A tax of 0.5 percent will be deducted from state pensions.
Those affected economically by the outbreak may be exempted from the tax.
Revenues from the salary tax will be used to support organizations and workers hit by the fallout from the virus, as well as for direct support to some citizens and funding for the medical sector, the cabinet added.
In the same context, Egypt announced that 745 new cases of COVID-19 were recorded Wednesday, in addition to 21 deaths, and the release of 252 coronavirus patients.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly reiterated that citizens must abide by coronavirus prevention measures imposed by the government during and after the Eid al-Fitr holiday. Precautionary measures to coexist with the coronavirus will remain in place even after life returns to normal, Madbouly added, the most important of which is wearing face masks in public.
Minister of Health and Population of Egypt Hala Zayed announced that 320 hospitals will be receiving patients suffering COVID-19 symptoms.
Patients with mild symptoms will be isolated at home and given masks, disinfectants, and some medicines. “The patient will be followed up on remotely through a new electronic system,” the minister said, adding that the ministry has been implementing the home isolation system for mild cases since May 14."
“The severe cases, which are subdivided into high, extreme, and critical, will be sent to a quarantine hospital,” Zayed continued.
