Egypt’s government to impose LE4,000 fine against unmasked riders, employees, shoppers

[DJKeefy]

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly on Tuesday said that the government will impose an LE4,000 fine against the unmasked riders, employees and shoppers.

During a video conference meeting with Egypt’s Higher Committee for Coronavirus Crisis Management, Madbouly warned that the government may take hard preemptive measures in the case of noncompliance, which will affect the economic conditions of several classes.

Several countries have imposed full lockdown measures following the a second outbreak of the virus in October, he pointed out.

Authorities across Egypt began enforcing the ministerial decree ordering people to wear face masks in public in May.

Most residents in Cairo committed to wearing masks out in the streets and in shopping centers and establishments, while those without any were barred from entering supermarkets.

The administration at various shopping centers also began measuring body temperatures before allowing people to enter, while authorities in Real Estate registration and unions prevented anyone without masks from entering.

Police established traffic patrols nationwide at bus and mini-bus stations to monitor the abidance of the face mask rule among passengers.

Months later, one will see a different story when walking the streets of Cairo.

During the meeting, Madboudly asked the public to comply with the mask mandate, and to practice social distancing.

Egypt’s Cabinet will release on Wednesday new regulations that will dictate the closing times of commercial and industrial shops, restaurants, and cafes for the first time in four decades, Cabinet Spokesperson Nader Saad confirmed.

The will be strictly imposed on violators who fail to wear masks in enclosed places and on public transportation like taxis and microbuses, Saad said, adding that private cars are exempt.

He stressed that lenient restaurant owners will pay for their lax attitudes later, as the government might be forced to shut down dining facilities if figures rise again.

Egypt’s Health Ministry reported on Monday 189 new cases of coronavirus and 13 virus-related deaths. A total of 107,925 cases of the virus have been reported, with 99,652 of those recovering, and 6,291 deaths.

Source: https://www.egyptindependent.com/egypts ... -shoppers/

[newcastle]

On Wednesday, Egypt’s Cabinet will release new regulations that will dictate the closing times of commercial and industrial shops, restaurants, and cafes for the first time in four decades, Cabinet Spokesperson Nader Saad confirmed.

He estimated the closure to be set at 10 pm in winter and 11 pm in summer, adding that supermarkets and pharmacies will be exempt from the decision.

Saad cited the ongoing pandemic in the cabinet’s decision, saying that the second wave of the coronavirus is fiercer than the first, with higher infection rates reported across Europe and the MENA region.

https://egyptindependent.com/egyptian-c ... wednesday/

It looks as if Egypt is admitting that the published statistics do not reflect reality. But they can’t have it both ways.

How do they expect the population to take mask- wearing and social distancing seriously when they have fed them a diet of figures showing that Egypt has no problem with COVID-19 compared to Europe.

108, 000 infections in a population of 100 million By contrast, UK has experienced 1 million infections in population of 60 million.

I suppose closing cafes etc can be enforced....but I doubt trying to fine people flaunting the mask rules will work.

Maybe when the hospitals start filling up they’ll come to their senses

[carrie]

Well having visited the hospital just a few days ago, as I said previously the doctor and I were the only ones wearing masks. Hand sanitizer was available in the toilets though.
Perhaps the gov. should insist that the police wear masks to set an example, not much use stopping people and forcing them to comply if they don't do it themselves.