Egypt’s parliament not to postpone meetings despite coronavirus

Parliament speaker Ali Abdel-Aal announced on Sunday that parliament will meet on 29 April and that it will no longer postpone its meetings despite the threat of the coronavirus, Ahram Online reported on Sunday.

Abdel-Aal said parliament has a busy schedule on 29 April and that it will observe social distancing protocols in line with the precautionary measures taken by the government and the health ministry to help contain the coronavirus.

“MPs will not sit close to each other,” Abdel-Aal said.

Parliament was scheduled to meet on 29 March but it decided to postpone its sessions until 12 April, and then it decided to extend the suspension until 29 April.

Abdel-Aal said parliament will discuss a number of important laws tackling real estate taxes and the treatment of epidemic diseases when it meets on 29 April.

The speaker praised the efforts being exerted to fight the coronavirus and stimulate the economy, adding that parliament has allocated 25 million pounds in donations earmarked to contain the virus.

“This is part of our national duty in such critical times,” said Abdel-Aal.