Entry into the 70-year-old Ain Shams University without a face mask has been banned. The decision was taken by university president Mahmoud El-Metini two days before the start of the new academic year amid strict measures to avoid the spread of the coronavirus.

The decision is applicable to students, professors, teaching staff and workers.

El-Metiny has tasked deans of faculties and institutions to impose penalties on violators and to toughen the penalty for repeated violations.

In September, the Higher Education Ministry has set a number of anti-coronavirus safety measures ahead of the new school year, including not allowing students with a fever to enter universities and keeping students at vocational colleges in small groups.

Decisions also included that students remain wearing face masks on the premises.