Egypt’s private sector employees will be given a five-day paid holiday for Eid Al-Fitr as of Sunday, Mohamed Saafan, the manpower minister, said on Monday.

Government employees are expected to receive a five-day paid holiday as well, according to cabinet spokesman Nader Saad.

The annual Islamic holiday, which is customarily three days long, will be extended this year to five days from 24 to 28 May, in an attempt to reduce crowding during the religious occasion which is associated with family gatherings and packed public places.

Egypt announced on Sunday stricter measures during the religious feast, including extending the curfew hours, to stem the spread of the pandemic.

The nationwide curfew will begin at 5 pm instead of the current 9 pm starting from Sunday – expected to be the first day of Eid – until Friday, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said in a televised briefing.

All shops, malls, beaches and parks will be completely shut, Madbouly said, adding that public transportation will be suspended throughout the six-day period, which runs until 29 May.