Egyptian citizens seeking traffic services will have to wear face masks

The Egyptian authorities said on Friday they will make citizens seeking traffic-related services to wear face masks, a day after the country announced easing some coronavirus restrictions.

Wearing masks will be a “requirement” for citizens heading to traffic departments to obtain or renew licences for new vehicles, starting Sunday, when the offices will re-open, the country’s interior ministry said in a statement.

On Thursday, Egyptian Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly said curfew hours would be shortened to start from 9:00 pm instead of the previous 8:00 pm from Friday, the first day of the holy month of Ramadan.

He also said the country would ease restrictions to take steps to help return life to normal after the Eid Al-Fitr religious holiday, which marks the end of Ramadan.

Egypt is set to resume some of the government services as of next week, including licencing new vehicles and limited registration services. Courts will be also allowed to hold inheritance hearings.

Earlier this week, Egyptian parliament initially approved a new law giving the health minister or health authorities in general the power to make it obligatory for citizens to wear face masks while outside their homes.

Violators will be fined between 300 and 5,000 Egyptian pounds ($19.00 and $316.69) under the legislation.