The talking heads were back on the air last night with all the latest on the covid-19 outbreak.

First up- the daily covid-19 update: Masaa DMC’s Eman El Hosary (watch, runtime: 1:47) and Min Masr’s Amr Khalil (watch, runtime: 2:00) both covered the latest statement from the Health Ministry on the covid-19 outbreak, which announced 39 new cases yesterday, bringing the total to 366. The ministry reported a further five deaths, bringing Egypt’s overall death toll to 19. A total of 68 people have now been discharged from hospital after 12 were released yesterday after making full recoveries.

Curfew not ruled out, but it won’t be a “magic solution”- Heikal: Information Minister Osama Heikal refused to rule out a curfew to stem the spread of covid-19 during an interview with Al Kahera Alaan’s Lamees El Hadidi, but the measure was not necessary yet. He added that a lockdown was not a “magic solution” to the crisis, as citizens would still be coming into close contact during the working day. The government could also move to shut down transportation, but it is trying to strike a balance to maintain normal life, he said. He called on Egyptians to be responsible, abide by the social interaction instructions coming from the World Health Organization and the government, and to stay at home where they can. He warned that if cases were to rise to over 1k, the outbreak would accelerate and become much harder to contain and monitor (watch, runtime: 17:25).

No shortage of equipment -Zayed: El Hadidi also interviewed Health Minister Hala Zayed who assured that the country was not facing a shortage of equipment necessary to combat the virus, and said that the government is importing new equipment to bolster existing supplies. She insisted that government planning for the outbreak remains in the control stage, despite new cases continuing to be reported each day (watch, runtime: 21:36). El Hekaya’s Amr Adib spoke with Health Ministry Spokesperson Khaled Megahed, who reiterated Zayed’s statements (watch, runtime: 2:44).

Second army official dies: Al Hayah Al Youm's Lobna Assal covered the day’s news that Maj. Gen. Shafee Dawood had died after being infected by the virus, the second death of a senior figure in the Armed FOrces in as many days (watch, runtime: 1:08).

Gov’t to support seasonal employment: Adib spoke with Social Solidarity Minister Nevin El-Kabbaj who said that the government would support people working temporary or seasonal jobs that have been impacted by the precautionary measures to confront covid-19. He said that the private sector and civil society also has a major role to play in assisting these workers without specifying how (watch, runtime: 2:28).