Egypt’s Minister of Health and Population Hala Zayed reviewed, on Wednesday, the precautionary measures that will be followed by international entities participating in next week’s Cairo International Book Fair.
The book fair, which has already been delayed from its usual January-February slot due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, has been organised in coordination with the Ministry of Culture.
These procedures include allowing those who have proof of receiving the vaccine via the QR code to enter the exhibition, as well as offering discounts to those requesting a PCR test.
During remarks at the weekly cabinet meeting, Zayed reviewed the position of providing vaccines to citizens and medical staff, and noted that there are now 429 vaccine centres across the country.
She further pointed to preparations at the factories of belonging to the Egyptian Holding Company for Biological Products and Vaccines (VACSERA) in Sixth of October.
These preparations are set to make the factories the largest vaccine production complex in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region. They will equipped with production lines to manufacture the vaccines at a cost of more than $17m, in addition to EGP 80m in construction costs.
Moreover, Zayed reviewed the latest developments regarding the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the rate of change in the weekly number of infections, noting that the number of infections are in decline.
The minister also reviewed the efforts of cooperation and coordination with other countries regarding measures to confront the pandemic.
She said that, in coordination with the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the concerned authorities in the UK were briefed about the preventive and curative measures implemented by Egypt to confront the pandemic.
Two weeks ago, the UK decided to add Egypt among seven countries, to its “red list” of destinations that require hotel quarantine on return to England starting from 8 June.
The brief included: the epidemiological response measures at entry points at ports and airports; the follow-up of contacts; infection control and prevention measures; ambulance response; laboratory capabilities and laboratory equipment; and home isolation strategy.
Zayed added that a meeting was held with German entities to coordinate and present the measures taken by Egypt to confront the pandemic. This included a review of cooperation methods between the two countries in this regard.
The minister also said that the two countries agreed on the importance of exchanging experiences, and opening channels of communication between the two governments to enhance cooperation in the health field.
