The decision to delay the reopening of churches in Cairo and Alexandria that have been closed over the coronavirus pandemic will remain in place until August 3, spokesman of the Coptic Orthodox Church Bolis Halim said Monday.

All masses held every Sunday and Friday will continue to be suspended according to cabinet decisions amid coronavirus concerns, the spokesman said in a statement.

In case of the gradual reopening of some parishes, worshipers will be required to comply with a set of preventive guidelines to be issued later in a special memo, he added.

During a video-conference meeting on June 27, the Standing Committee of the Holy Synod, chaired by Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria, decided to delay the opening of churches in Cairo and Alexandria until mid July due to a recent spike in Covid-19 infection rates.