Egypt: first day of Eid without precedent

Text by: RFI Follow

In Egypt, this first day of Eid is unprecedented. Even during the 1973 Egyptian-Israeli War, when the ceasefire had not really taken effect, the Egyptians went out to celebrate the end of Ramadan. This Sunday, on the other hand, we had an Egypt that seemed more in mourning than in celebration.  

Publicity

With our correspondent in Cairo , Alexandre Buccianti 

It started at dawn. No collective prayer bringing together millions of Egyptians outdoors. It was not only prohibited but those who dared to contravene was liable to a fine of two hundred euros, twice the Smic, for violation of the curfew going from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Seeking to go out to feast was not possible for the overwhelming majority of Egyptians. There was simply no public transportation. Trains, subways, buses and even shared taxis have been stopped or banned. And then went out to go where? The parks, gardens and beaches are closed. 

In Cairo, as elsewhere in all cities on the Nile, the banks of the river are prohibited. In Alexandria, not a cat on the 20 kilometers of ledge. 250,000 police were there to enforce anti-Coronavirus directives. Because even if there are still only 14,000 cases, the Egyptian hospital system is saturated.

Read also: During the coronavirus epidemic, Egypt strengthens the state of emergency

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