Egypt launches virtual tours of archaeological sites amid COVID-19 outbreak
The Giza pyramids necropolis on the southwestern outskirts of the Egyptian capital Cairo is pictured empty after the site closed to the general public as a protective measure against the spread of the coronavirus COVID-19 on March 25, 2020. (AFP Photo)


Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has launched a series of virtual and guided video tours of museums and archaeological sites around the country.

The move comes as the spread of the novel coronavirus has locked down countries and forced visitors and tourists to stay at home as part of measures to fight the pandemic.

The tours are available on the ministry's official website and social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram or Twitter under the slogan: "Experience Egypt from Home. Stay Home. Stay Safe."

The ministry said in a statement that it will post at 7:00 p.m. (1700 GMT) Saturday its second virtual tour.

The tour features the tomb of Queen Meresankh III, who was the granddaughter of King Khufu, builder of the Great Pyramid of Giza, and wife of either Khafre or Menkaure.

The first tour on Friday explored the Menna Tomb in Theban Necropolis, considered as one of the most beautiful tombs of the nobles on Luxor's West Bank. It dates back to the 18th Dynasty.

Egypt has so far reported around 1,000 infections of the global pandemic, with 66 fatalities.