Egypt announced that it was halting all public transport and coach trips on Monday to keep crowds down during a major public holiday and limit the spread of the coronavirus.
Egyptians 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 go out in large numbers.
Beaches, parks, public gardens, malls and shops will be closed for the day, except food stores and pharmacies, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said Thursday in a televised briefing after a cabinet meeting.
Egypt applies similar measures on weekends since imposing a night-time curfew on March 24, which was extended to April 23.
Egypt has also closed schools and universities, shut mosques and churches, stopped most public services and grounded flights to contain the spread of the virus.
Madbouly said he was concerned about the increasing numbers of people on the streets during the last few days and urged them to stay at home as much as possible.
Egypt has reported 2,673 coronavirus cases as of Thursday including 196 deaths, the health ministry said, adding that 596 patients had recovered and had been released from hospital.
