The Ministry of Health has included COVID-19 in the list of infectious diseases stipulated by Law No.137 of 1958. This decision means the inclusion of the vaccine against the coronavirus in the list of free compulsory vaccinations for children in Egypt. Additionally, the law grants the minister of health permission to seize any means of transportation, real estate, pharmaceutical or chemical preparations and medical tools required for the control of the epidemic. It also enables health authorities to take all appropriate measures, such as imposing isolation and quarantine, in case of disease outbreaks.

The list of infectious diseases includes cholera, the plague, typhus, smallpox, and yellow fever. Dr. Rashwan Shaaban, a member of the Egyptian Medical Syndicate’s Council, said that the decision is just a legislative and administrative procedure.