Egypt announced Sunday it will close shops, malls, beaches and parks during Eid al-Fitr in an effort to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 disease.
Prime Minister Mustaf Madbouly told a news conference that during the week-long holiday, which marks the end of Ramadan, a nighttime curfew will be in place from 5 p.m. until 6 a.m. starting May 17.
All public and private transportation will also be halted until May 29, he said.
According to Madbouly, the government intends to gradually ease virus restrictions by mid-June, including bringing back sports activities and reopening restaurants.
A reopening of places of worship would also be considered, he said.
Since mid-March, Egypt has shuttered schools, mosques, churches and archaeological sites. It has also ordered restaurants, coffee shops, malls and gyms to close to encourage people to stay home. A curfew is now in place from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Egypt has reported 11,719 cases of the novel coronavirus, including 612 deaths.
