Egypt's top prosecutor insisted on Friday that violators of a nighttime curfew and monopolisers of goods would be punished by law as the country grapples with the coronavirus outbreak.

Hamada El-Sawy said in a statement he had ordered prosecutors to "take the necessary legal measures" and bring offenders to criminal courts under the emergency state law.

Those who violate the 7 pm-6 am curfew "without necessity" would be jailed and fined up to EGP 4,000, the statement read, adding that those who counterfeit goods could face jail terms between a year and five years and a fine of EGP 10,000-30,000.

Possessing commodities of unknown origin would result in penalties of at least six months in prison and a minimum of EGP 500 fine or one of those two penalties.

Those who monopolize or conceal goods would receive jail terms of one to five years and a fine ranging from EGP 100,000 to EGP 1 million.

Hoarding strategic commodities would be punishable through penalties of not less than a year in prison and a fine of EGP 100,000 to EGP 2 million.

The statement also said that selling commodities at a price higher than set prices would be met with jail terms ranging from one to five years and a fine of EGP 300 to EGP 1000.

Egypt has reported 865 coronavirus cases since announcing its first infection in February, with 58 fatalities.