© Khaled DESOUKIAn Egyptian medical worker administers a dose of a Covid-19 vaccine in Cairo
Egypt on Wednesday announced a partial shutdown of malls and restaurants and called off festivities for the Muslim holidays of Eid al-Fitr to curb rising coronavirus cases.
The closure of cafes, malls and restaurants from 9 pm will take effect from Thursday until May 21.
Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli told a televised news conference that Egypt was in a "third wave" of the Covid-19 pandemic, urging citizens to follow health guidelines and register for vaccinations.
Egypt, the most populous Arab country, has recorded nearly 232,000 positive cases including more than 13,000 deaths.
"You have a responsibility not just for yourself but also your family," he said, flanked by Health Minister Hala Zayed and other senior officials.
"We are at a critical stage," he said.
The government said Eid al-Fitr holidays, marking the end of the Muslim dawn-to-dusk fasting month of Ramadan, will run from May 12-16.
Madbouli said beaches, parks and recreational facilities will be fully shut during the five-day holiday.
No concerts or large festivities such as weddings will be permitted, he added.
Worshippers will be allowed to perform Eid prayers at designated mosques where regular weekly Friday prayers are held.
Madbouli said about 1.7 million people had been fined in recent months for not wearing face masks and hundreds of thousands of shishas (waterpipes) been seized from cafes.
Egypt is to receive a total of 4.9 million doses of coronavirus vaccines in May, according to the cabinet.
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