Egypt to suspend public transport, close parks on Monday to control holiday crowds

Egypt is suspending all public transport and coach trips on Monday to limit crowds during a major public holiday and curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly announced Thursday.

Beaches, parks, public gardens, malls, and shops will be shut for the day, except food stores and pharmacies, Madbouly added in a televised briefing.

Egyptians will mark the start of spring with the Sham el-Nessim celebrations on Monday, a day after Coptic Christians celebrate Easter. Both Muslims and Christians traditionally rush to parks in large numbers to celebrate Sham el-Nessim.

Egypt applies similar limitations during weekends since imposing a night-time curfew on March 24, which was later extended to April 23. The country has also closed schools and universities, as well as mosques and churches, suspended most public services and grounded flights in an attempt to control the spread of the virus.

As of Thursday, Egypt has reported 168 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total to 2,673, in addition to 13 deaths, having a total of 196.  596 patients had recovered and had been released from isolation hospitals, according to a statement by ministry of health.