Egypt's Sisi says govt handling coronavirus crisis 'transparently'

• The country's health ministry has so far recorded 10 deaths out of 294 confirmed cases of the COVID-19 disease, but speculation that the real figures are higher has circulated on social media in recent weeks.

CAIRO: Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said Sunday his government has dealt with the novel coronavirus pandemic with "full transparency" and denied the true infection rate is being suppressed.

The country's health ministry has so far recorded 10 deaths out of 294 confirmed cases of the COVID-19 disease, but speculation that the real figures are higher has circulated on social media in recent weeks.

On Wednesday, the World Health Organisation called on governments across the Middle East to be more forthcoming with information about new virus infections to contain its spread in the region.

"We have dealt with the subject since the beginning and like always with full transparency... all health ministry and government statements reflect the reality we are living," said Sisi in a televised address.

"Why would we hide anything from you?" he said, adding that those questioning the official data "want to make people feel insecure".

Sisi also urged Egyptians to comply with the government measures and stay at home for at least two weeks as a precaution.

He also added that his government earmarked 100 billion Egyptian pounds ($6.4 billion) to fund the plan to confront the coronavirus crisis.

Egyptian authorities have imposed tough measures to limit social interaction in the country of 100 million inhabitants.

They have closed schools and universities, ordered cafes, restaurants, nightclubs, sporting clubs and malls to close by 7.00 pm, and told many public sector employees to avoid the workplace.

Egypt on Thursday halted air traffic until the end of March.

On Saturday, the country's religious authorities ordered the closure of all mosques and churches and banned communal prayer gatherings for at least two weeks.

During his address, Sisi announced a set of economic measures including reducing natural gas and electricity prices to industries, and postponing repayment of loans for small and medium-sized companies.

Other measures included the central bank's allocation of 20 billion Egyptian pounds ($1.3 billion) to support the stock exchange.