Egypt’s Minister of Health Hala Zayed presented a report, on Wednesday, indicating that Cairo, Alexandria, Gharbeya, and Luxor, have all seen high numbers of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) cases.
Zayed’s report was presented at a cabinet meeting headed by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, and showed that of those four cities, Cairo had the highest number and Luxor the lowest.
The report reviewed the development of new coronavirus cases in Egypt, and highlighted that governorates witnessing a moderate increase in the number of infections are Menoufiya, Sohag, and Aswan. The governorates with the least cases are South Sinai, Minya, Suez, and Ismailia, Zayed said.
The minister also discussed the procedures that Egypt is taking to obtain the vaccine against the coronavirus, and reviewed the position of global research into this. She noted that there are a total of 217 potential vaccines under review worldwide, of which 63 are undergoing clinical trials.
Zayed also addressed the direct effect of the pandemic on global and Egyptian tourism, and highlighted the joint statement made by the UN’s World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
The statement emphasised the importance of cooperation between the health and tourism sectors, and the significance of sharing updated reliable information, both for tourists and the tourism sector.
She confirmed that Egypt has been placed among the “100 safe destinations” for tourists. The list includes countries that have adopted universally standardised protocols, and demonstrated their commitment to health measures, allowing them to reopen their tourist attractions.
Zayed indicated that the return of activities and events nationally is a testament to the Egyptian government’s management of the crisis. This has ensured that Egypt is almost the only country in the Middle East to have witnessed a return to artistic and cultural activities.
This comes at a time when institutions in other countries across the region and the world remain closed to the public, as a result of the shutdown measures taken due to the coronavirus.
