Egypt on Tuesday introduced new measures including a two-week night-time curfew in an effort to control the spread of the novel coronavirus, which has affected 366 people in the most populous Arab country.
However, Egypt had recorded 19 deaths so far.
President Abdel-Fattah al-Sissi said the measures were aimed at reducing the infection rate, urging all Egyptians to fully commit to the measures.
“I stress that the Egyptian state with all its agencies will firmly and decisively face, within the framework of law, any attempts to violate the measures, Al-Sissi said.
The Egyptian Prime Minister, Mostafa Madbouli, while addressing press conference, said the curfew would be in place from 7 p.m (or 1700 GMT) to 6 a.m from Tuesday.
However, all public and private collective transportation would be suspended during that time, while all shops, malls and service centres would be closed between 5 p.m. to 6 a.m. during the two-week curfew.
Mr Madbouli added that bakeries, groceries, pharmacies and supermarkets outside the shopping malls would be exempted from closure.
“All coffee shops, night clubs, casinos and other entertainment locations will remain while the curfew last, with the work of restaurants limited to delivery.
“Government services will be suspended for the two-week period. The closure of schools and universities will be extended for another two weeks.
“Penalties in the emergency law will be enforced on those who violate these measures, which could lead to imprisonment,” Mr Madbouli said.
He, however, urged citizens to be committed to the measures and to cooperate with the authorities, adding that the government took such measures to protect the lives of its citizens.
dpa/NAN
