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)

• 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.