In a move to detect violations of precautionary measures against the coronavirus, Minister of Local Development Mahmoud Shaarawy launched a number of inspection campaigns in Nasr City’s Anwar Al-Mufti Street in Cairo, a cabinet statement read on Tuesday.

The ministry had earlier received complaints by residents of Anwar Al-Mufti Street reporting that a large number of cafés were offering shisha (hookah).

Shisha has been banned at entertainment venues since the government reopened restaurants and coffee shops in June following the lockdown enforced to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

The Ministry of Health has repeatedly warned against smoking shisha, especially amid the outbreak.

Street residents also complained the venues occupied the sidewalks and entrances of residential buildings.

The ministry’s campaign removed road blocks and unlicensed construction equipment in the street and confiscated a large number of water pipes (hookas) from coffee shops and restaurants.

In mid-June, Egypt eased measures imposed since the outbreak in March by reopening coffee shops and restaurants under strict precautionary and hygiene measures.

The cabinet warned that violators of these regulations will have their establishments closed and licence revoked.