Cairo, the city that never sleeps, shuts for coronavirus night-time curfew

A police officer stands at the Qasr El Nil street during the first day of a two-weeks night-time curfew which ordered by the Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Cairo, Egypt March 25, 2020. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany

Egypt and its capital Cairo, a mega-city home to some 20 million people, shut down on Wednesday evening as authorities launched a night-time curfew to tackle the spread of the coronavirus.

In a city that never sleeps where restaurants and cafes are usually open until the wee hours, shop owners were closing shutters and commuters rushing home before the start of the 7 p.m. curfew that runs until 6 a.m.

Policemen were posted on key roads to stop any violators. Many streets were already almost deserted by 6:30 p.m.

A police officer debriefs a man, near Tahrir square during the first day of a two-weeks night-time curfew which was ordered by the Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Cairo, Egypt March 25, 2020. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany

"This is a disease, not a joke. People must stay at home, and should not leave their houses after curfew hours," Mohamed El-Gabaly, a Cairo resident, told Reuters, as he stood in a major street with little traffic just before the curfew.

Egypt has stepped up measures aimed at preventing the spread of the coronavirus - closing airports and gyms, as well as suspending classes at schools and universities until mid-April. Restaurants are restricted to just delivering food.

Shops other than supermarkets and pharmacies will be required to close at 5 p.m. on weekdays, two hours earlier than the previous curfew, as well as on weekends.

A police officer stands at the Qasr El Nil street during the first day of a two-weeks night-time curfew which was ordered by the Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Cairo, Egypt March 25, 2020. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany

Egypt, a country of 100 million, has reported 456 confirmed cases of the coronavirus and 21 deaths.

Like other countries, Egypt has taken steps to curtail the impact on the economy, including a surprise 3% interest rate cut and an injection of 20 billion pounds ($1.27 billion) to support the stock market.

Police members stand near Police vehicles at Talaat Harb square during the first day of a two-weeks night-time curfew which was ordered by the Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Cairo, Egypt March 25, 2020. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany

(Reporting by Sayed Shaesha; Writing by Ulf Laessing; Editing by Aurora Ellis)

A general view of Talaat Harb square during the first day of a two-weeks night-time curfew which was ordered by the Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Cairo, Egypt March 25, 2020. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany

Photographers wearing protective face masks work, as Egypt ramps up its efforts to slow down the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Cairo, Egypt March 25, 2020. Picture taken March 25, 2020. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany

A photographer wearing protective gloves and a mask holds a camera, as Egypt ramps up its efforts to slow down the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Cairo, Egypt March 25, 2020. Picture taken March 25, 2020. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany

A photographer wears a protective face mask and gloves while working, as Egypt ramps up its efforts to slow down the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Cairo, Egypt March 25, 2020. Picture taken March 25, 2020. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany

A photographer sprays alcohol to sanitise his hands while working, as Egypt ramps up its efforts to slow down the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Cairo, Egypt March 25, 2020. Picture taken March 25, 2020. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany