Egypt receives more stranded citizens amid coronavirus pandemic

Repatriated Egyptians arrived from more than 36 countries globally after coordination between ministries and the tourism industry. (File/AFP)

• The airport has received over 10,000 citizens and operated more than 60 flights
• Egypt has prepared plans to reopen churches in the country

DUBAI: Egypt continues to repatriate stranded citizens from coronavirus hotspots at the country’s Marsa Alam International Airport, local daily Egypt Today reported.
The airport has received over 10,000 citizens and operated more than 60 flights by EgyptAir and Air Cairo airlines since operations began in April.
Repatriated Egyptians arrived from more than 36 countries globally after coordination between ministries and the tourism industry, and provided hotels to host the Egyptians for a one-week quarantine, a source said.
Over 8,000 Egyptians left hotels after completing their obligatory quarantine period, and after the duration was lowered to one week, more citizens were discharged, medical sources said.
Earlier on Thursday, the airport received a repatriation flight arriving from Abu Dhabi, carrying 245 citizens.
Meanwhile, Egypt has prepared plans to reopen churches in the country amid the coronavirus outbreak while following precautionary measures to prevent the virus spread, Head of the Evangelical community in Egypt Andrea Zaki said.
The committee is expected to submit its proposal during the council’s next available meeting, she added.