Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has said that the coronavirus situation in Egypt is "reassuring and under control" due to the efforts exerted by the state's apparatuses, adding that he is not in favour of suspending work in the country. The virus has so far infected 1,322 people in Egypt and killed 85. In a televised speech on Tuesday during an inspection tour of personnel and equipment assigned to assist the civil sector in confronting the virus, El-Sisi emphasised that Egypt can overcome this crisis only with the help of citizens, adding that compliance with the preventative measures would contribute to easing these precautions. "We can distribute medical masks at half-price or for free if needed. We have to pay more attention to the virus," he noted. "We do not want to take tougher actions that could put more restrictions on people's movement, but we need to stick to all precautions," he added. The president also underscored that Egypt's wheat stockpile is sufficient, saying "there is no problem in the strategic wheat stockpile… and Egypt is ready to conduct expensive deals if necessary." He stressed that “I don't agree with suspending work in the Egyptian state and suspending life completely. But we must take all pre-emptive measures. The government did not reduce employees' salaries and I ask the private sector to do the same. We have called on the government to continue working with limited employment without affecting pay. "If you want work with only 50% or less... it is possible... especially for seniors and women." The president also warned of "the scepticism campaign against the state," saying that “this will not undermine our will to confront this challenge." "Why would we withhold coronavirus updates? All countries see this crisis… it is not our fault," he said. The president added that these campaigns have failed previously to undermine people's confidence in the state during the drilling project of the Suez Canal or other challenges. "Our confrontation of this evil fiction will last as it tries to return once again," the president pointed out. He also reviewed the package of economic measures taken by the state to support different sectors and categories during this crisis.
