Egypt’s health ministry positions 1,413 ambulances at parliamentary election stations
Ahram Online, , Saturday 7 Nov 2020
Voters’ temperature is monitored at polling stations and people suffering from fever or respiratory symptoms are directed to a nearby hospital


The Egyptian health ministry said it has allocated 1,413 ambulance vehicles and four ambulance boats as part of a 24-hour plan to provide medical services to citizens during the House of Representatives election.

The second stage of House elections started in several electoral districts across Egypt on Saturday morning and is set to close on Sunday evening. Expats cast their votes over the past three days.

Health ministry spokesman Khaled Megahed said ambulance vehicles have been dispatched to polling stations in the 13 governorates, including the capital, where voting is taking place in the second stage of parliamentary elections.

Megahed quoted Minister of Health Hala Zayed as affirming the necessity to commit to all preventive measures against coronavirus during the voting process.

This includes maintaining social distancing between voters, avoiding crowding at polling stations and wearing face masks.

Voters’ temperature is monitored before they enter the polling stations and those suffering from fever or respiratory symptoms, such as coughing or difficulty breathing, will be excluded from the voting process and directed to a nearby hospital, Megahed stated.

The same measures are being applied to supervisors and employees at polling stations, Megahed said.

He added that hospitals will assess their health condition, give them treatment if required and task the concerned administration to monitor their health condition as well as the health situation of their contacts for two weeks.

Around 9,468 polling stations opened their doors for voting on Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 9pm.

President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, Coptic Orthodox Church Pope Tawadros II, and several ministers and key officials cast their ballot.

Around 31 million Egyptians are eligible to cast their ballots in the second phase.

Some 2,083 candidates are competing for 70 individual seats, while 284 candidates are competing under the list system in two districts.

The results of the second phase are set to be announced on 15 November and run-offs at home will be held on 7-8 December.

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