Egypt Tightens Coronavirus Restrictions

A girl wearing a protective face mask, amid concerns over the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, walks next to a clothing store with sale signs in the shop window in Cairo, Egypt, August 5, 2020. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh
A girl wearing a protective face mask, amid concerns over the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, walks next to a clothing store with sale signs in the shop window in Cairo, Egypt, August 5, 2020. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh
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Egypt Tightens Coronavirus Restrictions

A girl wearing a protective face mask, amid concerns over the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, walks next to a clothing store with sale signs in the shop window in Cairo, Egypt, August 5, 2020. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh
A girl wearing a protective face mask, amid concerns over the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, walks next to a clothing store with sale signs in the shop window in Cairo, Egypt, August 5, 2020. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

Egypt has tightened the coronavirus restrictions ahead of the second wave of the pandemic, while a cabinet report affirmed that the country has a stock of drugs, used in the treatment of the COVID-19 disease, that lasts for up to 6-9 months.

President Abdul Fatah el-Sisi affirmed that the country dealt with the coronavirus crisis in scientific and balanced ways. He referred to the state’s adherence to preventive measures, preparation of isolation hospitals, and mobilization of relevant state institutions to address the pandemic.

The president paid tribute to the United Arab Emirates, referring to the first batch of Chinese coronavirus vaccine Sinopharm shots that arrived in Cairo on Thursday night from the Gulf.

The vaccine, which has been tested in the UAE and is said to be 86% effective, will be available for citizens for free upon Sisi’s directives.

The Health Ministry said Friday that 464 new coronavirus cases were detected, upping Egypt’s total to 120,611.

In a statement, Health Ministry spokesman Khaled Megahed said 23 patients have died from complications caused by the virus over the past 24 hours, raising the death toll to 6,877.

As many as 218 patients were discharged from isolation hospitals after receiving necessary medical care, taking the number of recovered cases to 104,499 so far, the spokesman added.

Egyptian Health Minister Hala Zayed and Minister of Local Development Mahmoud Shaarawi showcased Saturday the procedures taken in efforts to raise the efficiency of all chest and fever hospitals across the country.

They agreed to intensify their efforts to curb the spread of the virus, as the country expects to witness a second wave of the disease.

During a meeting, Zayed and Shaarawi followed up on the progress of the Central Bank’s 1.4 billion initiative to support the health sector in Egypt.

The cabinet’s report revealed that the World Health Organization commended the way Egypt dealt with the virus and its efforts to curb its spread.



Netanyahu Appoints Adviser with Trump Ties to Lead Ceasefire Talks 

Relatives and supporters of Israelis held hostage by Hamas in Gaza stuck a sticker with the face of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on a road which they poured red liquid, symbolizing blood, in Jerusalem, Monday, Feb. 17, 2025, during a rally to mark 500 days of captivity and demand their release. (AP)
Relatives and supporters of Israelis held hostage by Hamas in Gaza stuck a sticker with the face of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on a road which they poured red liquid, symbolizing blood, in Jerusalem, Monday, Feb. 17, 2025, during a rally to mark 500 days of captivity and demand their release. (AP)
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Netanyahu Appoints Adviser with Trump Ties to Lead Ceasefire Talks 

Relatives and supporters of Israelis held hostage by Hamas in Gaza stuck a sticker with the face of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on a road which they poured red liquid, symbolizing blood, in Jerusalem, Monday, Feb. 17, 2025, during a rally to mark 500 days of captivity and demand their release. (AP)
Relatives and supporters of Israelis held hostage by Hamas in Gaza stuck a sticker with the face of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on a road which they poured red liquid, symbolizing blood, in Jerusalem, Monday, Feb. 17, 2025, during a rally to mark 500 days of captivity and demand their release. (AP)

An Israeli official said that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has appointed a close confidant to lead negotiations for the second stage of the ceasefire with Hamas.

The official says that Cabinet Minister Ron Dermer will head the Israeli team. Previous talks have been led by the heads of the Mossad and Shin Bet security agencies.

Talks have not yet started on the second stage, which is meant to include an end to the war, return of all hostages and Israeli pullout from Gaza.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the appointment has not been officially announced.

The US-born Dermer is widely seen as Netanyahu’s closest adviser. He previously served as Israel’s ambassador to the US and is a former Republican activist with strong ties to the Trump White House.

Dermer currently serves as Israel’s strategic affairs minister, where he has been a key player in relations with the US and other countries.