The lifting of restrictions on weddings, conferences and funerals in public places was the topic of the night on the talk shows, with plenty of attention still given to the progress of settling building code violations nationwide.

Restrictions on mass gatherings eased: Al Hayah Al Youm Lobna Assal highlighted the cabinet meeting on resuming public gatherings amid covid-19, including conferences and weddings at hotels, provided they’re adhering to safety measures and not exceeding 50% capacity (watch, runtime: 4:52). Assal also spoke with cabinet spokesman Nader Saad to discuss the measures (watch, runtime: 8:35). Masaa DMC’s Eman El Hosary also had coverage (watch, runtime: 2:47). We have all the details in this morning’s Speed Round, below.

Covid-19 update: Assal also discussed the latest covid-19 statement from Health Minister Hala Zayed, who laid out a four-phase plan to confront a possible second wave of the pandemic. This includes providing some 320 treatment centers, medicines and supplies, preventing entry into the country without safety checks including PCR tests, and the provision of vaccines once they’re available (watch, runtime: 4:52),

As ever, the talking heads couldn’t help but chew over informal housing and buildings that otherwise violate the construction code.

The big news on this front: The 30 September deadline to file for settlements will not be extended, cabinet spokesman Nader Saad told Al Tasea Masaan’s Wael El Ebrashy (watch, runtime: 40:09), adding that enforcement officers will go after anyone who hasn’t filed paperwork to set things right by the end of this month. Other highlights on the topic from last night:

• Electricity and water services will be cut for people who don’t sort out their paperwork by the deadline, Saad told Ala Mas’ouleety’s Ahmed Moussa (watch, runtime: 5:51).
• The government has received some 1.1 mn settlement applications, and is expected to break the 2 mn mark by the deadline, Saad said.
• Sharqiya Governorate has seen a 15-20% increase in settlements since the state began offering reduced fees on settlements (watch, runtime: 5:25) while Gharbiya Governorate has received 41k new applications (watch, runtime: 9:05).

Zamalek building restored: El Hekaya's Amr Adib spoke with Transport Minister Kamel El Wazir, who discussed the reparations made to Zamalek’s El Sharbatly building, which was damaged earlier this year due to the construction of the metro. The restoration cost around EGP 10-11 mn (the cost was apparently covered by the consortium overseeing the project)], and the building is now 100% safe, he said. El Wazir added that the Egyptian Company for the Management and Operation of the Metro has hit the point at which it no longer has the capacity to run other phases, suggesting the government could seek help from foreign management firms such as RATP Dev to run the metro’s fourth and fifth lines (watch, runtime: 3:57). Al Hayah Al Youm’s Lobna Assal also covered the news (watch, runtime: 4:29).