Egypt's Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouli chaired on Thursday cabinet weekly meeting to discuss a number of key economic and social issues, in light of the exceptional circumstances witnessed by the state and the whole world after the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
The meeting was held via video conference, as a part of the precautionary measures taken by the government to curb the spread of the emerging virus.
During the meeting, Madbouli stressed that the government is keen to follow up the implementation of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s directives on confronting the new Coronavirus, especially with regard to stimulating the national economy and limiting the negative repercussions of this exceptional circumstance on various sectors.
Moreover, Dr. Hala Zayed, Minister of Health gave a detailed presentation on the latest situation regarding coronavirus cases in Egypt, and the ministry's efforts to deal with this crisis.
The minister also added that the state has so far registered 465 cases, including 21 deaths. She also noted that 95 coronavirus patients have totally recovered.
In addition, Zayed pointed out that the number of laboratories in the governorates has increased to reach 21 laboratories across the Republic.
On her part, Dr. Nabila Makram, Minister of Immigration and Egyptian Expatriates Affairs tackled the ministry's efforts in cooperation with the Civil Aviation ministry to bring standard Egyptians back home amid global flight ban.
In this regard, Madbouli has ordered the formation of a committee composed of ministries and relevant authorities to coordinate the return of standard Egyptians to their homeland.
On the other hand, Transport Minister Kamel Al-Wazeer stressed that viral photos of metro congestion on social media platforms were taken before curfew hours from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, noting that the rate of occupancy throughout the day was very weak.
He also added that this problem is currently being solved by increasing the number of trains.
Egypt's measures to battle Coronavirus
Egypt imposed a nationwide 11-hour curfew from 7:00 pm to 6:00 am starting yesterday for two weeks.
Egypt’s health ministry has stepped up precautionary measures in the affected governorates and intensified campaigns to spread awareness about infectious diseases.
It also raises its preparedness at all the country’s ports and airports to monitor the virus developments, receiving inquires from citizens about the virus through its hotline 105 or 15335.
Egypt President Abdel Fattah El Sisi has allocated L.E. 100 billion to fund the anti-Coronavirus strategy and its related precautionary measures.
WHO declared Coronavirus global pandemic
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared coronavirus a global pandemic as the new virus has rapidly spread to more than 121,000 people from Asia to the Middle East, Europe, and the United States.
According to the organization, the number of COVID-19 infections outside China has doubled in the past two weeks, and the number of countries hit by the epidemic has tripled.
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