The Egyptian government will suspend air traffic starting from midday on Thursday March 19 until the end of March. Prime Minister Dr. Moustafa Madbouly said in a press conference that all hotels and tourist facilities will sterilise and disinfect their buildings during the suspension period, and to be ready to receive visitors after the coronavirus epidemic regresses. Madbouly said that EgyptAir will suffer losses of about EGP 2.25 billion ($142.9 million) due to this decision, but that it is necessary. The Guardian newspaper published a report saying that Egypt has about 19,000 cases of coronavirus, which the Egyptian Ministry of Health has denied. The Ministry of Supply said in a statement that there is a sufficient stock of commodities for citizens over the next several months.