Egypt on Sunday announced a more restrictive lockdown for next week’s Muslim holiday of Eid Al Fitr as part of its efforts to contain an outbreak of the novel coronavirus.
Announcing the new regulations in a televised news conference, Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouli said the nighttime curfew in force since March will be extended by four hours between May 24 and 29, beginning at 5pm instead of 9pm. All public transport will be halted during that period, while beaches and public parks would be closed.
Private tour buses would be banned from traveling between provinces and stores would be shut, except pharmacies, supermarkets and bakeries. Restaurants and cafes would be closed.
“These measures will limit the chances of the virus spreading because of large gatherings to mark the big occasion,” the prime minister said.
Eid Al Fitr, which will most likely start on Sunday, marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, when observing Muslims refrain from food, water and sex from dawn until dusk.
Mr Madbouli said that after Eid, from May 30 and for two weeks, Egypt will return to the regulations it adopted during the month of Ramadan, except the curfew will start one hour earlier, at 8pm.
This means shops and malls will be open seven days a week and that restaurants and cafes would be open, but only for delivery or takeaway services. Wearing surgical masks will be mandatory on public transport or any other public spaces where large gatherings exist.
Egypt has to date almost 12,000 confirmed coronavirus cases and 600 deaths.
From June 15, the prime minister said, the gradual return to normalcy will begin, with sports clubs and youth centres partially reopening but operating under social distancing and other preventive measures. Authorities will also consider holding some rituals, which were not specified, at mosques and churches.
