Egyptians vent frustration at lack of coronavirus measures as metro images go viral

Egyptians vent frustration at lack of coronavirus measures as metro images go viral
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The pictures that surfaced online claim to show a carriage where commuters appear to be packed in with no distancing at all between the riders. (Facebook)
Egyptians vent frustration at lack of coronavirus measures as metro images go viral
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A man wearing a protective face mask is seen at the underground Al Shohadaa "Martyrs" metro station while Egypt ramps up its efforts to slow down the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Cairo, Egypt March 22, 2020. (Reuters)
Egyptians vent frustration at lack of coronavirus measures as metro images go viral
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A member of medical team sprays disinfectant as a precautionary move amid concerns over the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak at the underground Al Shohadaa "Martyrs" metro station in Cairo, Egypt March 22, 2020. (Reuters)
Egyptians vent frustration at lack of coronavirus measures as metro images go viral
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Members of medical team spray disinfectant as a precautionary move amid concerns over the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak at the underground Al Shohadaa "Martyrs" metro station in Cairo, Egypt March 22, 2020. (Reuters)
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Updated 22 March 2020
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Egyptians vent frustration at lack of coronavirus measures as metro images go viral

Egyptians vent frustration at lack of coronavirus measures as metro images go viral
  • The pictures claim to show a carriage where commuters appear to be packed in with no distancing at all
  • Online comments spoke of fears of the spread of COVID-19

CAIRO: Internet users in Egypt are expressing concern at images showing metro commuters packed on a train as the country tries to slow the spread of coronavirus.

The pictures that surfaced online claim to show a carriage where commuters appear to be packed in with no distancing at all between the riders.  

Online comments spoke of fears of how not suspending the subway service would contribute to the spread of COVID-19.

The country's transport minister, Kamel El-Wazir, said suspending Cairo's metro system due to the virus would not be possible because the subway and the railway serve about 3.6 million citizens on a daily basis.

El-Wazir was quoted by local media saying that sterilization operations were taking place up to 6 times every 24 hours as a precautionary measure. 

Egypt took measures over the weekend to sterilize buildings for public and private sectors as well as public areas and subway stations and trains. It is also broadcasting awareness messages on the internal radio at the subway stations and public buses about personal hygiene.