CAIRO — In an attempt to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus, Giza governorate imposed April 7 a lockdown on al-Moatamdia village, which is affiliated with the governorate’s Kerdasa municipal division, for 14 days and cordoned it off. The decision came after several cases of the virus that causes COVID-19 were detected in the village.

In this context, the governorate, commissioned by the government, took several measures to facilitate the lives of the village residents and delivered infant formula and medicines to those suffering from chronic diseases. It also provided ambulances to transport those critically ill to hospitals. Village residents have volunteered to provide services for the elderly and those suffering from chronic disease.

Alaa Wali, a member of parliament from Kerdasa, said April 8 in a phone call with "Aala Mas’ouliti" ("It Is My Duty") broadcast on Sada Elbalad satellite channel that a full lockdown had been imposed on al-Moatamdia as two people infected with the virus attended a wedding while two others attended a funeral service. He noted that nine people tested positive, while three of these cases had died, saying about 200 people have been in contact with them. 

Wali noted that the decision was taken to protect the 100,000 residents of the village and to avoid having them infect people outside the village. He added that the village residents have been provided with basic necessities; some 1,000 meals and 500 boxes of food commodities have been distributed to people in need and to irregular workers, and cars carrying ATMs have been roaming the village to provide banking services to residents, as part of the government initiative.