Over 10 Thousand Arrests Reported in Violation of COVID-19 Public Guidelines
city life Coronavirus COVID-19 egypt EgyptiansCairo 360
Image credit: Anna Shvets
Implement the Cabinet’s decisions regarding public safety against the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 13,125 people were arrested for non-compliance with wearing protective masks in public, according to an announcement on the Interior Ministry’s official website. Reportedly, 163 court cases were issued on violating the ban on hookah usage in cafeterias, along with 682 violations of shop closures.
Sixteen thousand sixteen businesses were forced to shut down by the authorities for violating opening and closing hours of commercial stores, according to an announcement made by the Minister of Local Development’s assistant, Khaled Qassem.
Arrests and court cases made are in conjunction with the Interior Ministry’s concern for the safety of Egyptian citizens. According to their official statement, decisions were made abiding by state agencies’ necessary precautionary measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 and preserve public health.
Precautionary measures also include limiting the working hours of public shops, as well as requiring protective masks on all forms of mass-transportation.
The concluding results of such efforts are as follows:
- 13125 were arrested for not wearing protective masks, and all 13125 citizens complied in paying the resulting fine.
- Issuing 682 violation charges on stores who did not abide by the decision to close.
- Issuing of 163 violation charges at cafes who continued the of hookahs, despite the temporary government ban, and the seizure of 931 hookahs.
The necessary legal measures have been taken, and the cases have been presented to the Public Prosecution. The Interior Ministry concluded in their announcement by saying that these operations will continue, ensuring the safety of Egyptians across the nation.