SCHOOLS CLOSED TO CURB SPREAD OF SWINE FLU

The Egyptian government has ordered all schools and universities to close until October in an attempt to slow the spread of swine flu. State-run schools were due to start the academic year in the last week of September. Foreign schools that have already started will also be affected. The Ministry of Health announced on Sunday that five new cases of swine flu had been detected. It is the latest strategy enacted by the government to combat the virus. Restrictions have already been imposed on those wanting to attend the annual Hajj pilgrimage in November. Only those between the ages of 25 and 65 will be granted the necessary visas. The Egyptian Health Minister refused to rule out an all-out ban on Hajj travel if the outlook becomes worse. A similar ban was last imposed in 1947 due to a cholera epidemic.