Naguib Sawiris: more coronavirus shutdowns will make 2021 another challenging year for global economy

Egyptian billionaire Naguib Sawiris said on Tuesday that extending coronavirus shutdowns will mean that half the world will go bankrupt and 2021 will be another challenging year for global economy.

The global economy has already incurred tremendous losses due to closures of businesses and the stringent measures put in place by governments to control the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, Sawiris said.

In an interview with Russia Today TV Channel, the Egyptian business tycoon called for reopening businesses and suspending closure measures but while taking all the necessary precautions as the coronavirus crisis may not end soon.

“If they (scientists) could not develop a vaccine or a treatment, will it be logic to lock down people for months or years?! … and if this happens, people will then die from poverty, hunger, and despair … job opportunities will fade … they won’t then die from coronavirus.”  Sawiris said.

He explained that he demanded to find methods on how to coexist with the coronavirus.

“I said we go back to work in a scientific manner, making people wear face masks, air conditioners and offices have to be sterilised … We do what is needed to do … elderly people have to stay at home and same with people with chronic diseases.”