President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi declared a nationwide state of emergency for three months starting Sunday, 27 October, 1am. 

A presidential decree was published on Saturday in the state’s official gazette, according to which the measure was taken after consulting with the cabinet due to the "dangerous security state of the country."

The Armed Forces and the police shall take the necessary measures to counter terrorism, maintain security and protect citizens and properties, according to the decree.

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly renewed the curfew in designated areas in North Sinai from Tel Rafah, east of the peninsula, to the international border at Rafah, and from Halal Mountain until Ouga on the border.

The curfew runs from 7pm to 6am, except in Arish city and on the international road, where it runs from 1am to 5am, or until further notice.

The Saturday gazette published the prime minister's decree No 2582/2019 which states that the prosecution shall refer crimes including those related to gathering, disruption of transportation, thuggery, price fixing, guns and ammunition, sanctity of places of worship, vandalism, and crimes related to the protest law and the anti-terrorism law to emergency state security courts.

The state of emergency was first declared in April 2017 following two suicide bombings in churches in Alexandria and Gharbiya on Palm Sunday that killed 47 worshipers, and has been constantly renewed ever since.