Although the Egyptian Cabinet announced earlier the banning of New Year celebrations in public places, hundreds gathered on Alexandria’s iconic Stanley Bridge to celebrate after midnight.



Photos circulated on social media showing the bridge packed with people, without maintaining social-distancing and with many of them not even wearing face masks.



This comes two days before a Cabinet decision to impose a EGP 50 fine for not wearing masks in public was set to come into effect.



##



Banning New Year celebrations and toughening penalties on hotels or institutions violating the decision came while Egypt is suffering from a second wave of coronavirus.



Between 21 and 31 December, the number of daily cases recorded by the African country had duplicated. The health ministry reported on Thursday 1,418 cases and 55 deaths.



According to the latest announcement by the ministry, the total number of cases and deaths since the outbreak began in Egypt in February reached 138,062 and 7,631 respectively.



##



##

https://english.ahram.org.eg/News/397954.aspx