Egypt to offer inoculations to workers in key industries as president warns of third wave
Authorities in Egypt will start to vaccinate workers in tourism, industry and other vital sectors to keep the economy moving during the coronavirus pandemic.
The government will soon offer, on request, to immunise Egyptians planning to travel abroad, including those going to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj this year, Health Minister Hala Zayed said.
Egypt began its vaccine drive with frontline medical workers. The elderly and those with chronic diseases came next.
The total number of Egyptians inoculated will hit 250,000 by the end of this week, the minister said.
Ms Zayed said the vaccination of key workers reflected the government’s intention to maintain economic growth during the pandemic.
Egypt’s economy grew by more than 2 per cent last year despite the crisis, which caused other economies in the region to contract.
The authorities imposed a lockdown between March and July last year, dealing the economy a body blow at a time when it was showing signs of recovery after years of decline.
But restrictions were significantly relaxed from then on, with the government constantly urging Egyptians to observe preventive measures such as wearing masks and social distancing.
It remained reluctant to impose another lockdown, however, fearing an economic meltdown.
The ministry’s latest announcement on vaccination followed a warning by President Abdel Fattah El Sisi on Sunday that the country was about to be hit by the pandemic’s “third wave”.
“We pray to God the Almighty that it will pass … It [the pandemic] has gone on for too long, but we have no choice. God has been kind to us and we hope that He continues to be so,” the Egyptian leader said.
He also spoke about the higher chance of infection during Ramadan, when families and friends traditionally gather in large numbers. The holy month begins in midApril this year.
The daily number of Covid-19 infections in Egypt has been averaging between 500 and 600 for weeks, with a death toll hovering at about 40 a day, according to Health Ministry figures.
These relatively low numbers are because of very limited testing, however, and reflect only those who have been treated for or died of Covid-19 in the state health sector.
Government officials and experts say the actual numbers could be as many as 10 times those announced by the ministry.