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24 Mar 2020 | 02:13 PM UTC

Egypt: Government to implement nighttime curfew from March 25 /update 11

Egypt to implement nighttime curfew from March 25 due to COVID-19; confirm travel itineraries

Critical

Event

On Tuesday, March 24, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly announced that a nighttime curfew will go into effect on Wednesday, March 25, to curb further spread of the ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak. The curfew will be from 19:00 to 06:00 (local time) each night and will continue for two weeks. Public transportation will be halted and most public services and government offices will be closed to the public during the curfew.

The prime minister also announced that the closure of schools and universities, which began on March 14, will continue through Sunday, April 12. Shops and malls, with the exception of groceries, bakeries, and pharmacies, will be closed on Fridays and Saturdays and will be open from 07:00 to 17:00 on all other days.

To date, there have been more than 350 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Egypt, including 19 associated fatalities. Further international spread of the virus is expected over the coming days and weeks.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic.

Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and trouble breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

  • Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
  • When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
  • If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the virus.