Officials expect major deliveries of doses by the end of the month to speed up the country’s vaccination efforts.
The Egyptian authorities, anticipating the delivery of tens of millions of doses of Covid-19 vaccines, have issued a sweeping vaccine mandate that encompasses a broad swath of society, including teachers, other government employees, university students and people seeking any government services. Egypt is the Arab world’s most populous country, with more than 100 million citizens. Its decision to ramp up its vaccination campaign with a mandate follows the model set by wealthier neighbors like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, which are far ahead of Egypt in vaccinating their smaller populations. A spokesman for the Egyptian cabinet, Nader Saad, said on Sunday in a television appearance that beginning on Nov.15, civil servants will not be allowed into their workplaces unless they can show that they have received at least one vaccine dose, or can provide proof of a negative PCR test each week. The tests are taken at the worker’s expense and cost $58 each, a daunting amount for someone earning government wages. Employees who do not comply will face disciplinary action, he said. Mr. Saad said that beginning Nov.1, public university students will not be allowed on campus without proof of at least one vaccine dose, and that students will not have a testing alternative.
