Egypt reopens despite increase

Egypt on Saturday lifted many restrictions put in place for the pandemic, reopening cafes, clubs, gyms and theaters after more than three months of closure, despite a continued upward trend in new infections.

Authorities also allowed the limited reopening of mosques and churches, and lifted a nighttime curfew.

President Abdel Fattah elSissi’s government has been keen to save the Egyptian economy that was hit hard by the virus outbreak.

The reopening has met with criticism, not least because Egypt is still recording relatively high new infections and deaths, raising concerns the country’s health care system could soon become overwhelmed.

Egypt’s health ministry has reported 62,755 infections, including 2,620 deaths.