Egypt may start to record no new coronavirus cases in July: Min.
FILE – Higher Education Minister Khaled Abdel GhaffarCAIRO – 21 May 2020: Egypt’s coronavirus cases is expected to reach around 20,000 by May 28th and to start recording lower number of cases starting June 7th, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Khaled Abdel Ghaffar said on Thursday.In his speech during the inauguration of a developmental project in northern Egypt’s Alexandria attended by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Abdel Ghaffar said the number of new coronavirus cases can decrease to reach zero after July 17th, after reaching around 37,000 cases.According to a hypothetical model the ministry adopts, which multiplies the counts by five, the actual number of cases in Egypt would be around 71,000 not 14,000, Abdel Ghaffar said, adding that no state can reach all the infected the cases especially that 80 percent of them show no symptoms.The death rate due to coronavirus in Egypt is undoubtedly 4.8 percent, he added.This comes while Egypt saw a striking surge in coronavirus (COVID-19) cases, as it has recorded 745 cases on Wednesday — 219 cases more than Monday. This brought the total number of cases in the northeastern African country to 14,229.The Health Ministry on Wednesday also reported 21 deaths due to the novel virus (COVID-19), bringing the death toll to 680.The test results of 4,584 people turned from positive to negative, the ministry said, including 3,994 people who totally recovered. It added that 252 patients left hospitals.Sisi has inaugurated the third stage of the "Bashayer El Khair" housing project in Alexandria on Thursday.Bashayer El Khair projects represent a quantum leap for developing slum areas in Alexandria. More than 50,000 citizens will benefit from this project which was accomplished in two years and half.Over 75 companies took part in the project.
Source:Egypt Today
May 21, 2020 10:07 UTC
Egypt allocates 320 public hospitals to examine potential coronavirus cases
Egypt’s Health Ministry has allocated an additional 320 public hospitals nationwide to examine suspected coronavirus cases, while also expanding home quarantine procedures to alleviate the burden on quarantine hospitals, said Cabinet Spokesperson Nader Saad. The spokesman explained that the Health Ministry has classified three levels of infection — mild, moderate and severe. After five days, mild cases must visit the examination hospital after for two tests. Severe cases will be transferred to quarantine hospitals for integrated health care, whether by putting them on ventilators or by admitting then into intensive care units, Saad explained. This new strategy aims to avoid reaching full capacity at quarantine hospitals, the spokesperson concluded.
Source:Egypt Independent
May 21, 2020 09:56 UTC
Less than 50 coronavirus cases in Egypt on ventilators, death rates below global average: Spokesperson
Less than 50 coronavirus patients in Egypt are on ventilators while 4,000 ventilators are available throughout the country’s hospitals, said the spokesperson for the Egyptian Cabinet Nader Saad on Monday. In a phone call with Sherif Amer’s “Happening in Egypt” TV show on MBC Masr, Saad stressed that coronavirus death rates in Egypt are below the global average. Slamming any rumors that Egypt is facing a ventilator shortage crisis, the spokesperson added that the total number of coronavirus patients in intensive care rooms are 250. Egypt on Wednesday confirmed 745 new coronavirus cases, bringing the country’s number of confirmed total cases so far to 14,229. The total number of fully-recovered cases rose to 3,994, all of whom have been discharged from isolation hospitals.
Source:Egypt Independent
May 21, 2020 09:00 UTC
Egypt to deduct 1% of state servants incomes over a year to fight coronavirus
The outcome of these deductions will contribute to facing economic repercussions resulting from the coronavirus pandemic. Exemptions for these deductions apply to those with monthly net incomes that do not exceed LE2,000. A government statement added that the cabinet may also exempt from deduction those who work in sectors economically impacted by the virus. Egypt on Tuesday confirmed 720 new coronavirus cases, bringing the country’s number of confirmed total cases so far to 13,484 while 302 cases left quarantineThe total number of COVID-19 deaths has now reached 659 nationwide, after announcing 14 new deaths. A total of 4,275 positive cases have been tested in Egypt, with all results now returned negative.
Source:Egypt Independent
May 20, 2020 15:11 UTC
Egypt’s GDP to grow 3.5% in 2020-2021 fiscal year if coronavirus ends: Planning Minister
Egypt’s GDP is anticipated to grow by 3.5 percent in fiscal year 2020-2021 if the coronavirus crisis ends, Minister of Planning and Economic Development Hala al-Saeed said Tuesday. The minister explained that this 3.5 percent growth rate for 2020/2021 is expected to come instead of the previous pre-coronavirus projection of 5.8 percent. Had this crisis occurred in 2016 prior to the start of Egypt’s economic reform program, Saeed said the Egyptian economy would have come under extreme stress. There will also be a significant 300 percent increase in digitization and telecommunications investments. The government allocated LE2.6 billion in investments between July 2019 and March 2020, with LE10 billion allocated as public investments in telecommunications and digitization as part of the plan for 2020/2021.
Source:Egypt Independent
May 20, 2020 14:37 UTC
Spanish Embassy and LaLiga launch "Spanish Sports Super Champion" contest
File- Juan Fuentes, LaLiga Delegate in Egypt, speaks to university studentsCAIRO_ 21 May 2020: The Spanish Embassy in Cairo and LaLiga are searching for the "Spanish Sports Super Champion" among thousands of Egyptians.The goal is to find the three Egyptian students that show the greatest passion and knowledge of Spain’s greatest sport.The Spanish Embassy will launch the online contest across all Hispanic Studies departments of universities across Egypt.The challenge involves a quiz of 35 questions - most of them about football. Once the students are assigned the task, their speed and knowledge will be key to their success, with the winners from each university being those who reply the quickest and with at least 20 correct answers.The winner of each university will be given an official LaLiga study kit.Out of all the participants, LaLiga and the Spanish Embassy will select one winner per university, who will go on to compete in a final phase to determine three overall winners.Those chosen from each university will be invited to a dinner and a guided tour of the LaLiga Lounge, the official LaLiga restaurant in Cairo and the only one of its kind currently in the world.The three winners will also receive an official LaLiga premium merchandising kit and will be invited to a lunch with the ambassador.The Spanish Embassy in Cairo and LaLiga have already rolled out a number of projects in conjunction with Egyptian universities that teach Hispanic Studies to thousands of students every year. "This project again highlights the close and ongoing relationship between the embassy and Hispanic Studies departments at Egyptian universities that promote Spanish as a study language," says Montserrat Momán, Cultural Counsellor at the Spanish Embassy in Cairo.Over the past year, both institutions visited many of the universities, imparting football and culture seminars.“It is a pleasure for LaLiga to get closer to the thousands of students who are interested in Spanish football, especially in times like these, and to offer an alternative form of entertainment to Egyptians from home aside from LaLiga matches. We will continue to work along these same lines,” added Juan Fuentes, LaLiga Delegate in Egypt.LaLiga has been recognized as an Honorary Ambassador for Brand Spain in the category of International Relations, in a ceremony presided over by the Spanish Monarchs last March. Collaborations between different Spanish embassies and LaLiga delegations overseas have grown in recent years as a result of LaLiga's internationalization strategy and of Spain’s important institutional presence abroad.
Source:Egypt Today
May 20, 2020 14:03 UTC
Egypt's central bank issues LE 20.2B in T-bonds, bills Wednesday
FILE - CBECAIRO – 20 May 2020: The Central Bank of Egypt (CBE), on behalf of the Ministry of Finance, issued LE 20.2 billion in treasury bonds and bills on Wednesday, May 20.The T-bills are at a value of LE 20.5 billion. They will be offered in two installments; the first installment is valued at LE 10 billion with a 182-day term and the second is worth LE 10.5 billion with a 357-day term.While the T-bonds will be offered at a value of LE 3.7 billion with a three-year term.For the current fiscal year, the budget deficit is estimated to record LE 445.1 billion, or 7.2 percent, planned by the ministry to be financed through treasury bills and bonds and through international and Arab loans.The Monetary Policy Committee of the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) decided May 14 to keep the overnight deposit rate, the overnight lending rate, and the rate of the main operation at 9.25 percent, 10.25 percent, and 9.75 percent, respectively. Moreover, credit and discount rates are cut at 9.75 percent from 12.75 percent.Earlier, CBE decided in March to cut the overnight deposit rate, the overnight lending rate, and the rate of the main operation in an emergency meeting by 300 basis points.Egypt's 2020/2021 draft budget aims to reduce public debt of GDP to 82.7 percent by end of June 2021, up from earlier target of 82.5 percent by the end of June 2020 and to 77.5 percent by the end of June 2022.
Source:Egypt Today
May 20, 2020 12:33 UTC
Mogamma el-Tahrir: Renovated landmark in Tahrir Square shines like Paris
Mogamma el-Tahrir shines in Tahrir SquareMogamma el-TahrirThe Egyptian Museum in Tahrir SquarePrime Minister Mostafa Madbouli and Tourism and Antiquities Minister Khaled el-Anany at the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square May 17, 2020CAIRO – 18 May 2020: The iconic Tahrir Square was originally constructed in 1865 in the French style of the time because Khedive Ismail loved Paris. After a lot of renovation work in 2020, the Khedive’s wish is today closest to reality.Soon, the final look of the square will be revealed when the newly-transferred Karnak rams are uncovered. But on Sunday, the star of the square was Mogamma el-Tahrir, a massive building that hosts numerous government services.The Gamal Abdel Nasser-era structure overlooks the square, attracting thousands of visitors a day to finish paperwork. It became greyish and did not represent a pleasant tour for citizens.It has now been painted and illuminated in a modern technique that flatters its artistic design and to match the beauty of its surroundings as the square is being renewed into an open museum.An obelisk has been planted in the square, which is now surrounded by the covered rams. Palm trees, olive trees, and plants that represent the ancient Egyptian civilization have been grown in the square.A three-tier fountain around the obelisk will operate and benches will be available for passersby to watch the scenery.Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli and Tourism and Antiquities Minister Khaled al-Anany visited Tahrir Square Sunday night to inspect the renovation work amid great care from the government to show the famous Tahrir Square in a truly beautiful look.The square, which is close to the Nile Corniche, leads to several landmarks, including the Egyptian Museum, the Khedive-era downtown, Qasr el-Nil Bridge, and other areas that are all important tourist attractions.
Source:Egypt Today
May 18, 2020 00:33 UTC
Inertia: Building New Realities By Making The Impossible Possible
Inertia: Building New Realities By Making The Impossible PossibleWho said that realities could not be changed? The next phase showed the three figures posing with the scattered letters of the word Inertia and taglines such as “They Told Me It Would Never Work”. In addition to being told that their dream was impossible, unachievable, same as the three figures they have chosen in “New Realities We Build”. In every project, Inertia ensures estimable developments with immaculate designs, overlooking scenic vistas, and a warm, vibrant community. Today, Inertia’s properties are peerless, guaranteeing their residents quality of design, service, and ambiance.
Source:Egypt Today
May 17, 2020 14:15 UTC
7 university dorms renovated in case needed to become quarantine venues
FILE - Cairo UniversityCAIRO – 17 May 2020: In fulfillment of the commands of President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, the Egyptian Armed Forces' Engineering Authority renovated the dorms of seven universities so they become suitable to quarantine COVID-19 patients, if needed.The dorms belong to University of Cairo, University of Ain Shams, University of Helwan, University of Alexandria, University of Mansoura, University of Suez Canal, and University of Asiut.The renovation included engineering works, rehabilitation of building fronts and main entrances, landscaping, restoration of furniture, kitchens, and toilets, replacement of flooring, and painting of ceilings, internal and external walls.Egyptians repatriated from Kuwait are being quarantined in the dorms of Cairo University free of charge for 14 days. The number of those is 5,300, and they are still being flown home in batches.491 people have tested positive for coronavirus in Egypt on Saturday, bringing the total number of cases to 11719, the Health Ministry said in its daily briefing.The ministry also reported 20 deaths due to the novel virus, bringing the total number to 612.Also, the test results of 3,526 people turned from positive to negative, the ministry said, including 2,950 people who totally recovered. It added that 151 patients left hospitals.
Source:Egypt Today
May 17, 2020 13:52 UTC
Egypt world's top exporter of frozen strawberry with 20% global share in 2019
Strawberry- PixabayCAIRO – 17 May 2020: The International Trade Center revealed in a statement issued Saturday that Egypt ranks first in the world as frozen strawberry exporter with a global share of 20 percent of the crop's exports in 2019.The amount exported is 140,000 tons and worth $165 million, which is a jump of 40 percent in value and 39 percent in quantities compared to 2015. In 2010, Egypt's strawberry exports did not surpass $11 million. The surface area cultivated in strawberry in Egypt is 22,400 feddans. The production of each is 18 tons per season.The Egyptian Agricultural Bank raised the amount of funding per feddan to LE60,000 from LE15,000.The crop is cultivated mainly in the governorates of Qalyoubiyah, Beheira, Ismailiyah, and Sharqeya as well as lands lying on the banks of Nubariyah canal northwestern the country.The Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation pointed out that Egypt also exports 20,000 tons of fresh strawberry and four million strawberry seedlings per annum.
Source:Egypt Today
May 17, 2020 12:33 UTC
EgyptAir gets $2B supportive loan to face COVID-19 pandemic
EgyptAir jet - Official websiteCAIRO – 17 May 2020: EgyptAir Holding Company will receive LE 2 billion as a supportive loan to confront the repercussions of Coronavirus pandemic, Minister of Finance Mohamed Ma’it said Saturday.Ma’it added that the state treasury will bear the loan’s burden until the company achieves operating rates equivalent to 80 percent of the operating volume in 2019.The minister added that the suspension of air traffic globally as a result of the pandemic had a great impact on EgyptAir and its subsidiaries, as the revenues were completely stopped while continuing to bear the fixed expenses of workers wages and others.“This loan is part of the supportive procedures that the government has adopted to back the affected economic, social and service sectors because of the coronavirus outbreak in order to set the balance between keeping the people’s health safe, pursuing the production wheel, retaining the workforce, providing the domestic market needs, sustaining public services provided for citizens, and alleviating the harsh impacts of the crisis on the national economy,” Ma’it said.He pointed out that there are several facilities in support of the affected sectors, in respect of which Law No. 24 of 2020 was implemented, which has been in operation since the end of last March, including the financial rules required to deal with the repercussions of the coronavirus pandemic.The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced in April that Egypt’s airline revenues were anticipated to decline by $1.6 billion, and the number of passengers to drop by 9.5 million in 2020 due to coronavirus pandemic.The aviation sector contributes to the Egyptian national economy with $2.4 billion and has created 205,560 jobs.On March 16, the Egyptian government decided to suspend air traffic at the Egyptian airports, from next Thursday to the end of March 2020. "Egypt will bear great losses, especially in the national aviation sector, after suspending air traffic until the end of March," Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli said then.Madbouli added that the losses of the National Aviation Company, EgyptAir, will reach LE 2.250 billion as a result of the decision, explaining that the state will bear these losses.Finance Minister announced earlier the allocation of about LE 10 billion out of LE 100 billion allocated to counter the negative repercussions of coronavirus pandemic to sectors affected by the coronavirus, most notably tourism and aviation.
Source:Egypt Today
May 17, 2020 11:15 UTC
La Liga clubs given permission to expand into group training
FC BARCELONA/AFP / Miguel RUIZLa Liga have told clubs they will be able to increase training to involve groups of up to 10 players on Monday as teams take another step towards the planned resumption of the season next month.The Spanish government has announced protocol that will allow training sessions to be expanded by all clubs, even those belonging to areas that are further behind in the country's de-escalation programme.It means teams like Real Madrid, Barcelona and Aletico Madrid will be able to train in groups of 10, a source at La Liga told AFP, despite both Madrid and Catalonia remaining in 'phase 0' as two of Spain's worst-hit regions by coronavirus.Espanyol, Leganes, Getafe and Real Valladolid will also be given special permission to do training in larger groups.The move comes as a boost to La Liga's hopes of restarting the season in the middle of June and following the lead of Germany's Bundesliga, which staged games behind closed doors on Saturday.Teams in the top two divisions in Spain have already returned to their training grounds this month, with players working individually as part of La Liga's staggered programme, which includes regular testing and strict medical protocol.La Liga president Javier Tebas has circled June 12 as the ideal date for matches to return but admitted the exact timing will depend on the health authorities in Spain and the trajectory of the virus.According to an official statement by the government on Saturday, professional sports clubs "may carry out complete training sessions" while "complying with the corresponding prevention and hygiene measures".The statement puts the maximum number at 14 for group training but La Liga have informed clubs the limit will be 10 on Monday.La Liga first suspended fixtures on March 14 and Tebas has estimated that failing to complete the season would cost clubs around 1 billion euros.
Source:Egypt Today
May 17, 2020 09:11 UTC
Egypt's Health Ministry denies applying full curfew
The newly appointed minister of health and population Hala Zayed – cc Egypt TodayCAIRO, May 17 (MENA) - The Health Ministry denied on Sunday a fabricated statement attributed to Health Minister Hala Zayed and being circulated in social media claiming that a full curfew will be applied on Tuesday til the third day of Eidul Fitr.These are groundless reports, Health Ministry spokesman Khaled Megahed said.Such decisions are taken by the government and not the Health Ministry after considering the best interests of Egyptian citizen, he said.He urged all media outlets not to spread any information until verifying their authenticity to avoid disrupting public order, especially in such a critical stage the country is passing through.
Source:Egypt Today
May 17, 2020 09:11 UTC
480 Egyptians stuck in Kuwait brought home over 3 flights on 1 day
Cairo International Airport - CC cairo airport transferCAIRO – 17 May 2020: Three exceptional flights operated by Jazeera Airways brought home 480 Egyptians stuck in Kuwait on Saturday evening. Those are being quarantined in university dorms free of charge.On May 6 and May 10, 450 and 490 returned, respectively. On each of those days, three flights were operated.An exceptional flight operated by Kuwait Airways and carrying 195 Egyptians whose residency expired in the Gulf country landed in Cairo International Airport on May 12.Aviation suspension in Egypt began on March 19, except for domestic and cargo flights. Also, tourists who had arrived before the date were allowed to complete their program, and leave on dates scheduled beforehand.A number of tourists requested to remain in Egypt as COVID-19 outbreak took its toll on their countries. Hence, Egyptian authorities approved as long as they go through coronavirus tests instructing the travel agencies to ensure the visitors' visas duration is extended by the Ministry of Interior, and informing their respective countries of their desire.
Source:Egypt Today
May 17, 2020 09:11 UTC