Egypt announces 2-week, night-time curfew to slow virus

 Egypt will impose a two-week, nightly curfew in Arab world's most-populous country in an effort to stop spre of new coronavirus, its prime minister anunced Tuesday as International Monetary Fund warned a lack of supplies could affect Mideast's poorest nations.

re are over 31,000 confirmed cases of virus across Mideast, vast majority in hard-hit nation of Iran.

While most recover from virus and COVID-19 illness that it causes, bottoming crude oil prices have put ditional strain on even wealthiest countries of region. That in turn could affect ir ability to spend on needed supplies as virus challenges medical systems worldwide.

Alrey, countries have reacted by eir urging or ordering hundreds of millions of people to stay home. Egypt, home to over 100 million alone, became latest on Tuesday.

Egyptian Prime Minister Moustafa Mbouly told a news conference that 11-hour curfew, from 7 pm until 6 am would go into effect Wednesday across country. He said many kinds of transportation will be halted during curfew. Egypt has 366 confirmed cases and 21 fatalities, including two senior military officers.

IMF, which tritionally has urged governments to implement greater austerity measures, w urges Mideast governments to offer temporary tax relief and cash transfers.

It warned a lack of medical supplies could hurt Iraq, Sudan and Yemen if it les to a surge in prices. “Given large numbers of people employed in service sector, re will be wide reverberations if unemployment rises and ws and remittances fall,” IMF's director for Middle East, Jih Azour, said in statement.

In Egypt, tourist cancellations have reached 80%, while retail and hospitality sectors have also been hard-hit in countries like United Arab Emirates where tourism is a pillar of ecomy, according to IMF. (AP) NSA