Churches in Cairo, Alexandria to remain closed until 3 August – official

Churches in Cairo and Alexandria will remain closed until August 3, announced spokesman for the Coptic Orthodox Church Bolis Halim on Monday.

In a statement released by the Coptic Orthodox Church, Halim said all the masses held every Sunday and Friday will continue to be suspended according to cabinet decisions, amid coronavirus concerns.

He added that in case of the gradual reopening of some parishes, worshipers will be required to comply with a set of preventive guidelines to be issued later in a special memo.

During a video-conference meeting on June 27, the Standing Committee of the Holy Synod, chaired by Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria, decided to delay the opening of churches in Cairo and Alexandria until mid July due to a recent spike in Covid-19 infection rates.