A sanitation worker sprays disinfectant beside a poster of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi at Al Shohadaa metro station in Cairo on March 22, 2020. Reuters
A sanitation worker sprays disinfectant beside a poster of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi at Al Shohadaa metro station in Cairo on March 22, 2020. Reuters
A sanitation worker sprays disinfectant beside a poster of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi at Al Shohadaa metro station in Cairo on March 22, 2020. Reuters
A sanitation worker sprays disinfectant beside a poster of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi at Al Shohadaa metro station in Cairo on March 22, 2020. Reuters

Coronavirus: Egypt’s Sisi wears mask in public for first time as new measures announced

Egyptian president tries to underscore seriousness of outbreak in country with 1,450 cases recorded

Hamza Hendawi
Hamza Hendawi
Cairo

April 08, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi on Tuesday wore a mask in public for the first time, sending a message to many of the country’s 100 million people who have had a casual attitude towards the coronavirus outbreak.

The virus has killed at least 94 people in Egypt and infected nearly 1,450, authorities say.

“We made a point of wearing masks today to deliver a message that we are taking care,” Mr El Sisi said in a televised address.

Also wearing masks and seated two metres apart next to and behind the Egyptian leader were Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly, Parliamentary Speaker Ali Abdel Aal and top officials and military commanders.

“If needed, we will distribute masks at half the cost or entirely free of charge,” Mr El Sisi said.

He said he was dismayed by the sight of passengers in communal taxis not wearing masks.

“I don’t get the impression from what I see that people are taking precautions,” Mr El Sisi said.

He said he occasionally ventured out alone “to see what’s going on", and that the death toll and number of infections would have been lower had Egyptians taken the coronavirus more seriously.

Dr.Li Wenliang who died from Coronavirus. Wuhan, China
Dr.Li Wenliang who died from Coronavirus. Wuhan, China
Excavators and workers are seen at the construction site where the new Huoshenshan Hospital is being built to treat patients of a new coronavirus on the outskirts of Wuhan, China. Reuters
Excavators and workers are seen at the construction site where the new Huoshenshan Hospital is being built to treat patients of a new coronavirus on the outskirts of Wuhan, China. Reuters
A policeman wearing a coronavirus-themed outfit composed of helmet, mace and shield, walks at a market to raise awareness about social distancing, during a government-imposed nationwide lockdown as a preventive measure against the COVID-19 coronavirus in Chennai, on April 2, 2020. / AFP / Arun SANKAR
A policeman wearing a coronavirus-themed outfit composed of helmet, mace and shield, walks at a market to raise awareness about social distancing, during a government-imposed nationwide lockdown as a preventive measure against the COVID-19 coronavirus in Chennai, on April 2, 2020. / AFP / Arun SANKAR
The quarantined Diamond Princess cruise ship at Daikoku pier cruise terminal in Yokohama. AFP
The quarantined Diamond Princess cruise ship at Daikoku pier cruise terminal in Yokohama. AFP
MANILA, PHILIPPINES - APRIL 3: Residents stand on white lines on the ground spaced to enforce social distancing as they queue to enter a slum area on April 3, 2020 in Manila, Philippines. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday ordered law enforcement to "shoot" residents caught violating quarantine rules during a month long lockdown in the country to contain the spread of the coronavirus. The Philippines' main island Luzon, which includes capital Manila, has been on lockdown for more than two weeks. Land, sea, and air travel has been suspended, while government work, schools, businesses, and public transportation have been ordered shut in a bid to keep some 55 million people at home. The Philippines' Department of Health has so far confirmed 3,018 cases of the new coronavirus in the country, with at least 136 recorded fatalities. (Photo by Ezra Acayan/Getty Images)
MANILA, PHILIPPINES - APRIL 3: Residents stand on white lines on the ground spaced to enforce social distancing as they queue to enter a slum area on April 3, 2020 in Manila, Philippines. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday ordered law enforcement to "shoot" residents caught violating quarantine rules during a month long lockdown in the country to contain the spread of the coronavirus. The Philippines' main island Luzon, which includes capital Manila, has been on lockdown for more than two weeks. Land, sea, and air travel has been suspended, while government work, schools, businesses, and public transportation have been ordered shut in a bid to keep some 55 million people at home. The Philippines' Department of Health has so far confirmed 3,018 cases of the new coronavirus in the country, with at least 136 recorded fatalities. (Photo by Ezra Acayan/Getty Images)
epa08325517 General view of the empty Piccadilly Circus in London, Britain, 26 March 2020. Britain's prime minister Boris Johnson has implemented social distancing measures banning social gatherings and groups of more than two people amid the ongoing coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. People must stand more than two metres apart. Several European countries have closed borders, schools as well as public facilities, and have cancelled most major sports and entertainment events in order to prevent the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus causing the Covid-19 disease. EPA/FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA
epa08325517 General view of the empty Piccadilly Circus in London, Britain, 26 March 2020. Britain's prime minister Boris Johnson has implemented social distancing measures banning social gatherings and groups of more than two people amid the ongoing coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. People must stand more than two metres apart. Several European countries have closed borders, schools as well as public facilities, and have cancelled most major sports and entertainment events in order to prevent the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus causing the Covid-19 disease. EPA/FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA
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An electron micrograph of SARS-CoV-2 virus particles, also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus that causes Covid-19. EPA
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A cyclist travels down a nearly deserted road in the Chinese city of Wuhan on January 26, 2020. AFP
The World Health Organisation has warned all governments to be on alert and screening has been stepped up at airports around the world. Getty Images.
The World Health Organisation has warned all governments to be on alert and screening has been stepped up at airports around the world. Getty Images.
Mr Ghebreyesus announced that the coronavirus outbreak can now be characterised as a pandemic. AFP
Mr Ghebreyesus announced that the coronavirus outbreak can now be characterised as a pandemic. AFP
Members of a medical assistance team from Jiangsu province chant slogans at a ceremony marking their departure after helping with the COVID-19 coronavirus recovery effort, in Wuhan.
Members of a medical assistance team from Jiangsu province chant slogans at a ceremony marking their departure after helping with the COVID-19 coronavirus recovery effort, in Wuhan.
People wearing face masks walk at a riverside park in Wuhan of Hubei province. Reuters
People wearing face masks walk at a riverside park in Wuhan of Hubei province. Reuters
Staff members line up at attention as they prepare to spray disinfectant at Wuhan Railway Station in Wuhan in China's central Hubei province.AFP
Staff members line up at attention as they prepare to spray disinfectant at Wuhan Railway Station in Wuhan in China's central Hubei province.AFP
The Diamond Princess cruise ship was placed in quarantine off the port of Yokohama after a number of the 3,700 people on board were confirmed to have coronavirus. Getty Images
The Diamond Princess cruise ship was placed in quarantine off the port of Yokohama after a number of the 3,700 people on board were confirmed to have coronavirus. Getty Images
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Lee Man-hee, leader of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, speaks during a press conference. The leader of a South Korean sect linked to more than half the country's 4,000-plus coronavirus cases apologised on March 2 for the spread of the disease. AFP
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Army soldiers wearing protective suits spray disinfectant to prevent the spread of the coronavirus in front of a branch of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus in Daegu, South Korea. AP
View of Palacio de Hielo ice skating centre in Madrid. The facilities will be used as a morgue for coronavirus fatalities. EPA/CHEMA MOYA
View of Palacio de Hielo ice skating centre in Madrid. The facilities will be used as a morgue for coronavirus fatalities. EPA/CHEMA MOYA
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A student takes classes online with his companions using the Zoom APP at home during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in El Masnou, north of Barcelona, Spain. Reuters
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A boy with an Italian tricolor flag stands on a balcony during a flash mob launched across Italy to bring people together and try to cope with the emergency of the coronavirus, in Rome. EPA
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A worker wears protective gear to spray disinfectant on Piazza Duomo in Milan.AFP
A worker wears protective gear to spray disinfectant on Piazza Duomo in Milan.AFP
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A police officer walks across an empty Seventh Avenue in a sparsely populated Times Square due to COVID-19 concerns in New York. AP
Stocks markets around the world have swung wildly in recent weeks as the coronavirus outbreak hammers global economy. Reuters
Stocks markets around the world have swung wildly in recent weeks as the coronavirus outbreak hammers global economy. Reuters
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US President Donald Trump, center, at a Coronavirus Task Force news conference at the White House in Washington, D.C., US, on Friday, April 3, 2020. Bloomberg
The military field hospital outside the Emile Muller Hospital in Mulhouse, eastern France. AFP
The military field hospital outside the Emile Muller Hospital in Mulhouse, eastern France. AFP
This picture tshows the Eiffel tower and the deserted place du Trocadero in Paris, on the twelveth day of a lockdown aimed at curbing the spread of the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) in France. AFP
This picture tshows the Eiffel tower and the deserted place du Trocadero in Paris, on the twelveth day of a lockdown aimed at curbing the spread of the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) in France. AFP
Health workers wearing protective gear transport a patient on a stretcher toward a tent used as the reception of the emergency services of the Aix Hospital Centre, Aix-en-Provence, southern France. AFP
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The ExCeL London has been transformed into a field hospital. AFP
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Boris Johnson on a screen as he remotely chairs the morning novel coronavirus Covid-19 meeting by video link, in Downing Street. AFP
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A man sits at New Delhi's border barricade during lockdown by the authorities to limit the spreading of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in New Delhi, India. Reuters
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A migrant worker carries his son as they walk along a road with others to return to their village, during a 21-day nationwide lockdown to limit the spreading of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in New Delhi, India,F Reuters
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Police community support officers talk to a person as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, Brighton, Britain. Reuters
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Medical staff celebrate after all patients were discharged at Wuchang Fangcang Hospital, a temporary hospital set up at Hongshan Gymnasium to treat people infected with the coronavirus and COVID-19 disease, in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. AP
Atmosphere of empty Westfield World Trade Center during coronavirus pandemic in New York City, NY, USA . Reuters
Atmosphere of empty Westfield World Trade Center during coronavirus pandemic in New York City, NY, USA . Reuters
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The Central Park field hospital constructed by members of Samaritan's Purse are seen in New York. The hospital began taking patients on Tuesday and is equipped to accommodate 68 beds with ventilators. Reuters
Chinese travellers wear protective masks as they bow their heads at 10 AM for three minutes of silence to mark the country's national day of mourning for COVID-19 at Beijing Railway Station. Getty
Chinese travellers wear protective masks as they bow their heads at 10 AM for three minutes of silence to mark the country's national day of mourning for COVID-19 at Beijing Railway Station. Getty
On the 20th day of a lockdown in France, a cemetery, exceptionally open for Palm Sunday, April 5. AFP
On the 20th day of a lockdown in France, a cemetery, exceptionally open for Palm Sunday, April 5. AFP

“We don’t want to have to take harsher measures because we don’t want life to come to a complete halt,” Mr El Sisi said.

“So far, the situation is under control. God willing and through our co-operation, we will overcome this challenge and emerge successful from this confrontation and Egypt and its people will be saved.

"Any difficult development, God forbid, will come at a very high cost for us.”

Egypt has imposed a night-time curfew, international flights have been banned, schools and universities closed and large gatherings prohibited.

Mosques and churches were also shut down, as were sports clubs, restaurants and cafes.

The number of government employees reporting for work has also been slashed.

Authorities on Tuesday said they were banning the traditional group iftars during the holy month of Ramadan, set to begin on April 23.

Iftars held in neighbourhoods or hosted by benefactors for the poor to break their fasts can attract hundreds, breaching the rules of social distancing.

“I am not in favour of entirely suspending work in the Egyptian state and bringing life to a complete halt," Mr El Sisi said.

"That would be dangerous, very dangerous."

During his six years in office, he has consistently called on the military to help realise his ambitious vision for Egypt.

He has given it responsibility for a construction boom, including the building of a capital and a dozen cities, mass production of food and building roads, bridges and affordable housing.

On Tuesday, Mr El Sisi inspected samples of the military’s equipment to be used in the fight against the coronavirus.

They included mobile laboratories and hospitals, trucks loaded with emergency water and food, ambulance buses and helicopters.

Mr El Sisi also announced a second package of economic stimulus to prevent the economy from tanking as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.

The latest package included a bailout package for the hard-hit tourism industry and civil aviation.

Earlier measures included a steep reduction in interest rates, exemptions on some stock market taxes, suspension of loan repayments and compensating exporters for losses incurred.

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Rating: 4/5

 

Directed by: Joseph Kosinski

 

Starring: Tom Cruise, Val Kilmer, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, Miles Teller, Glen Powell, Ed Harris

 
ENGLAND TEAM

Alastair Cook, Mark Stoneman, James Vince, Joe Root (captain), Dawid Malan, Jonny Bairstow, Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Craig Overton, Stuart Broad, James Anderson

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v West Indies which starts Thursday: Rory Burns, Joe Denly, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root (captain), Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali, Ben Foakes, Sam Curran, Stuart Broad, Jimmy Anderson, Jack Leach

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ODI WORLD CUP 

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2025: Pakistan; 2029: India  

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1st Test: Brisbane, Nov 23-27 
2nd Test: Adelaide, Dec 2-6
3rd Test: Perth, Dec 14-18
4th Test: Melbourne, Dec 26-30
5th Test: Sydney, Jan 4-8

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Referees: Chris Broad, David Boon, Jeff Crowe, Andy Pycroft, Ranjan Madugalle and Richie Richardson.

Umpires: Aleem Dar, Kumara Dharmasena, Marais Erasmus, Chris Gaffaney, Ian Gould, Richard Illingworth, Richard Kettleborough, Nigel Llong, Bruce Oxenford, Ruchira Palliyaguruge, Sundaram Ravi, Paul Reiffel, Rod Tucker, Michael Gough, Joel Wilson and Paul Wilson.

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What the law says

Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.

“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.

“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”

If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.

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