Egypt tightens measures during celebrations marking Ramadan’s end

Egypt announces a lengthening of its night-time curfew and other measures to prevent large gatherings during Eid al-Fitr holidays marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

“All shops, malls, restaurants, entertainment facilities, beaches, and public parks will be closed for six days from May 24-29,” says Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli.

Public transportation will be halted and the nationwide curfew in force from 5 p.m. during that period, he tells a Cairo press conference.

During the fasting month of Ramadan, the curfew ran from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Eid al-Fitr is normally marked by mass morning prayers, visits of family and friends, and large gatherings in public spaces and parks.

Egypt has since late March banned prayer gatherings and suspended air traffic among other steps to slow the spread of the coronavirus among the country’s 100 million people.

The health ministry has so far recorded 11,719 confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 612 fatalities.

— AFP