Egypt Health Ministry Urges Social Distancing, Mask Wearing

Tourists wearing protective face masks are seen in front of the pyramid of Khafre in Giza, Egypt, November 9, 2020. (Reuters)
Tourists wearing protective face masks are seen in front of the pyramid of Khafre in Giza, Egypt, November 9, 2020. (Reuters)
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Egypt Health Ministry Urges Social Distancing, Mask Wearing

Tourists wearing protective face masks are seen in front of the pyramid of Khafre in Giza, Egypt, November 9, 2020. (Reuters)
Tourists wearing protective face masks are seen in front of the pyramid of Khafre in Giza, Egypt, November 9, 2020. (Reuters)

Egypt’s Ministry of Health and Population stressed the importance of avoiding crowds and wearing face masks while attending public events.

It pointed to the need to of maintain social distance as a precaution against COVID-19.

The ministry further urged organizers of public events to ensure leaving at least one meter between seats, placing signs on the ground to help attendees maintain social distance and regulating the entrance and exit of people.

Separately, official spokesperson for the Cairo Metro Ahmad Abdul Hadi announced that authorities will continue to fine people who fail to wear face masks.

Some fines are as high as 4,000 pounds, while in some instances the violators are referred to the general prosecution that would decide on a fine.

The Company for Metro Management and Operation continues to disinfect trains, stations and ticket counters to maintain a safe environment for passengers.

Abdul Hadi said daily campaigns are carried out to ensure that passengers are wearing masks, while raising awareness of the importance of abiding by the precautionary measures in light of the second coronavirus wave that hit Egypt.

He called on people not to take their masks off during their ride or while waiting in the station to avoid the transmission of the virus.

Egypt has reported 115,000 infections, 102,000 recoveries and 6,621 fatalities from the disease.



UN Envoy: Situation in Syria ‘Dangerous’ and Threatens ISIS Resurgence

FILED - 29 November 2020, Switzerland, Geneva: Geir Otto Pedersen, United Nations special envoy for Syria, speaks during a press conference at the UN's European headquarters. Photo: Violaine Martin/UN Geneva/dpa
FILED - 29 November 2020, Switzerland, Geneva: Geir Otto Pedersen, United Nations special envoy for Syria, speaks during a press conference at the UN's European headquarters. Photo: Violaine Martin/UN Geneva/dpa
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UN Envoy: Situation in Syria ‘Dangerous’ and Threatens ISIS Resurgence

FILED - 29 November 2020, Switzerland, Geneva: Geir Otto Pedersen, United Nations special envoy for Syria, speaks during a press conference at the UN's European headquarters. Photo: Violaine Martin/UN Geneva/dpa
FILED - 29 November 2020, Switzerland, Geneva: Geir Otto Pedersen, United Nations special envoy for Syria, speaks during a press conference at the UN's European headquarters. Photo: Violaine Martin/UN Geneva/dpa

Geir Pedersen, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Syria, warned on Tuesday that the situation in Syria is extremely fluid and dangerous, as a vast swathe of territory has come under the control of non-state actors.

At a briefing to the Security Council on the situation in the country, Pedersen also cautioned that developments may lead to the resurgence of ISIS.

“Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) and armed opposition groups are gaining ground, advancing very close to Hama – a major city of some 1 million people,” he said.

In addition, the envoy warned of the potential for conflict on other axes in Syria, adding that further military escalation risks mass displacement and civilian casualties.

“I appeal to all parties to their obligations under international law to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure and allow safe passage for Syrians fleeing violence,” Pedersen told the Council.

He then urged deescalation and a rapid move to a serious political process to avoid a deepening of the crisis that threatens the territorial integrity and safety of Syria.

“If we do not see deescalation and a rapid move to a serious political process, involving the Syrian parties and the key international players, then I fear we will see a deepening of the crisis,” he said.

Pederson then revealed that he will return to the region “soon,” and he expressed his readiness to use his good offices to convene international and Syria stakeholders in new and comprehensive peace talks on Syria.

The envoy asked that deescalation be accompanied by a credible political horizon for the Syrian people

Over the past few days, armed factions in northwestern Syria led by the HTS launched a military assault against pro-Assad forces, seizing Aleppo and Idlib. They continue to advance towards the city of Hama.