Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi said on Wednesday that Egypt is committed to repatriating an estimated 3,500 Egyptians stranded abroad at the earliest opportunity. El-Sisi's remarks came during the inauguration of a number of national projects east of the Suez Canal.
The president said that a plan has been prepared by the concerned ministries to repatriate all Egyptians stranded abroad
"I assure all Egyptians [stranded abroad] who are listening to me, even if our circumstances are difficult, we will not leave you. As a state, we are obligated to bring home all stranded Egyptians, who are estimated at 3,500 citizens or slightly more, as soon as possible," El-Sisi said.
On Wednesday, the health ministry announced 169 new coronavirus infections, bringing the country's total number of confirmed cases to 3,659, including 935 recoveries. The total number of fatalities stands at 276, after 12 deaths were announced on the same day.
The president added that the state "is also keen to deal with some humanitarian cases in some sisterly countries."
Egypt began in March bringing back hundreds of its nationals stranded in various countries owing to the pandemic.
Egypt is keeping its airspace open to inbound charter flight as well as special flights to transport outbound passengers, and to cargo and domestic flights, during a suspension of air traffic since mid-March.
On 8 April, the flight suspension at Egyptian airports saw an extension until further notice.
El-Sisi concluded his speech by saying that the Egyptian government is currently working on preparing "good isolation places and subsistence" to be provided for the stranded citizens when they return.
The government has decided to quarantine all Egyptians returning to the country from abroad, and is requiring returnees to sign a written acknowledgement that they agree to the quarantine before boarding their flights.
