Egypt to receive 854,000 COVID-19 vaccines, allows prayers in authorized mosques during Ramadan

Muslim worshippers observe social distancing, as they offer the evening prayer Taraweeh at al-Azhar Mosque in the Egyptian capital Cairo, during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan on May 17, 2020. (Source/AFP)
Short Url
Updated 31 March 2021
Follow

Egypt to receive 854,000 COVID-19 vaccines, allows prayers in authorized mosques during Ramadan

  • The health ministry has recorded a total 200,739 coronavirus cases since start of outbreak

RIYADH: Egypt would be receiving 854,000 COVID-19 vaccines via the COVAX vaccine-sharing program starting Wednesday, a report from local daily Ahram quoting health officials.

About 50,000 doses of AstraZeneca were shipped to Egypt in January and 600,000 doses of the Sinopharm vaccine in the past few weeks.

The health ministry has recorded a total 200,739 coronavirus cases, including 153,630 recoveries and 11,914 deaths, since the outbreak started.

With the holy month of Ramadan expected to start on April 13, Taraweeh or nightly prayers have been allowed in authorized mosques as long as COVID-19 precautionary measures were implemented, although prayers should not exceed half an hour.

The ban on huge assemblies in mosques and charity banquets in streets remains in place but some sports events for students however have been allowed.


Blasts over Jerusalem after Israel detects missiles fired from Iran: AFP

Updated 49 min 29 sec ago
Follow

Blasts over Jerusalem after Israel detects missiles fired from Iran: AFP

  • Iran army says targeted Israel military bases, security service

JERUSALEM/TEHRAN: Blasts were heard over Jerusalem on Thursday, AFP journalists said, after the Israeli military detected missiles fired from Iran.
“A short while ago, the IDF identified missiles launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel. Defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat,” the military posted on Telegram.

Meanwhile, Iran’s army said Thursday it had targeted Israeli military bases and the country’s security service Shin Bet as the war entered its 13th day.
“The Palmachim and Ovda air bases of the Zionist regime as well as the headquarters of Shin Bet were targeted by drones from the Islamic Republic of Iran’s army,” the military said in a statement carried by state television.