Sisi: Pandemic is Still Ongoing, Urges Citizens to Abide by Preventive Measures

On Tuesday, President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi warned that the pandemic is still ongoing, urging all Egyptians to adhere to preventive measures against COVID-19 to curb the spread of the virus and avoid more infections in the country.

In a televised speech that took place during a meeting held today with high-level officials, including the Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouli and Health Minister Dr. Hala Zayed, to review the current epidemiological situation concerning the coronavirus in Egypt.

Higher Education Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Presidential Advisor for Health Affairs Mohamed Awad Tag el Din and Chairman of the Egyptian Authority for Unified Procurement, Medical Supply and Technology Management Bahaa el Din Zidan were also present at the meeting.

Sisi added, “The awareness of citizens is the true vaccine, calling on citizens to wear facemasks and maintain social distancing guidelines."

The Egyptian president also indicated that there is currently an increase in the infection rate, which means that the government should take more strict measures like those implemented during the first wave.

“We had to shut down schools, universities, shops, restaurants and impose a partial curfew. We do not want to repeat the lockdown implemented during the first wave of the coronavirus,” the president said, adding that a lockdown will not be implemented again as long as the public adheres to safety measures.

The president also said that while the pandemic has had a severe impact on the world economy, “it did not impact Egypt as much due to the economic reform programme and how you, the citizens, have handled it.”

Egypt has allocated EGP 100 billion to contain the COVID-19 outbreak and provide stimulus packages for various sectors hit by the pandemic.

El-Sisi also said that the COVID-19 awareness campaigns must continue.

Egypt has so far registered 113,381 cases of coronavirus, including 101,981 fully recovered patients and 6,560 fatalities.

El-Sisi added in his speech that while Egypt is working on its own vaccine, it will still acquire vaccines that were announced recently.

He finally hailed the state's plan in dealing with the coronavirus pandemic and managing the crisis. He also praised the efforts of all medical staff in safeguarding Egyptians against the virus.