For Egypt, which counts tourism is a major industry, the confirmation that the COVID-19 virus has arrived in the country is especially big news. Here's a look at how Egyptians and their government are dealing with this health and economic threat.
In Photos: Egypt Deals with Coronavirus
![While Saudi Arabia's sacred mosque in Mecca was closed last week in an effort to contain the virus, mosques in Egypt continued to function as normal. (H. Elrasam/VOA)](https://gdb.voanews.com/cd82c529-f7fa-4adf-9bf6-589ed5ce8f43_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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While Saudi Arabia's sacred mosque in Mecca was closed last week in an effort to contain the virus, mosques in Egypt continued to function as normal. (H. Elrasam/VOA)
![In Cairo's Manshiyat Naser ward, where a majority of residents are Coptic Christians, prayers are still held inside a poorly ventilated cave and sacraments are distributed to all with the same spoon. (H. Elrasam/VOA)](https://gdb.voanews.com/f290fe57-91c4-46b8-82d2-2d1dfde58ea0_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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In Cairo's Manshiyat Naser ward, where a majority of residents are Coptic Christians, prayers are still held inside a poorly ventilated cave and sacraments are distributed to all with the same spoon. (H. Elrasam/VOA)
![Hundreds of Egyptians who are traveling to Saudi Arabia and Gulf countries in the next 24 hours gathered to get the COVID-19 test, required by Saudi Arabia before they board their plane. (H. Elrasam/VOA)](https://gdb.voanews.com/d47111c2-3226-4ecb-a502-d4cd5061f007_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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Hundreds of Egyptians who are traveling to Saudi Arabia and Gulf countries in the next 24 hours gathered to get the COVID-19 test, required by Saudi Arabia before they board their plane. (H. Elrasam/VOA)