Feature: Egyptians exercise outdoor as gyms, clubs closed over COVID-19 fears

Historic Merryland public park in Egypt's capital has been a favorable destination for many sport fitness enthusiasts after gyms and sports clubs were shut down in mid-March to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Located in Cairo's upscale Heliopolis district, the Merryland park now serves as a vast outdoor venue where residents of the neighborhood can exercise safely.

In Mid-March, the Egyptian government took a bunch of preventive measures to slow down the spread of the coronavirus, including the closure of indoor sports buildings, gyms, health clubs, swimming pools and fitness centers.

This has led athletes and gymgoers across the country to search for safe alternatives to keep fit and healthy.

"I was told by my friend that some people are exercising everyday at the park...It was a good idea and I did not think twice to start exercising there," Yossif Maged, a 17-year-old student, told Xinhua.

Maged said he decided to exercise at the park after he made sure that people there are maintaining social distancing and avoiding large gatherings.

"The park is vast which makes it safe...I found out that people here keep distance and do not work out in groups," he said after he finished warming-up exercises.

In addition to going to the park three times a week, Maged also works out at home on daily basis.

Maged's friend and classmate Abdul-Rahman Bahaa goes to exercise at the park six times a week.

"I nearly exercise and run at the park every day because I cannot gain more fats. I have to keep my weight and shape," said Bahaa, a footballer with a local soccer club.

The young football player said he, like other athletes, take all precautionary measures before, during and after work-out to avoid infection and spreading the virus.

"I wear a mask and gloves whenever I go out...I may take off my mask once I make sure that I keep a distance from people around me at the park, but I wear another mask before I leave the park," he told Xinhua.

He expressed hope that the coronavirus crisis will end soon and life will go back to normal so he can return to school and the club trainings as well.

Egypt has confirmed 50,437 COVID-19 cases as of June 18, including 1,938 deaths and 13,528 recoveries.

Since March 25, the Egyptian government has been imposing a nighttime curfew as a key precautionary measure in combating the highly infectious virus.

The current eight-hour curfew in Egypt will continue until the end of the month, amid the government's coexistence plan to maintain anti-coronavirus precautionary measures while resuming economic activities.

The park is not only a place for young athletes and enthusiasts, but also a perfect place for seniors who are keen to live a healthier life.

"I'm not an athlete and I never was, but I used to walk around every day because walking is important for people in my age," Eissa Nessim, 69-year-old man, told Xinhua.

Nessim, who lives near the park, said it is not easy for him to go for a walk when there is a pandemic, that is why he sought to walk, and sometimes run, at the park.

Nessim said the park has provided him with the chance to exercise after he stopped walking in the neighborhood for weeks fearing a possible coronavirus infection.

"I enjoy my time under these big trees for several years, it now helps me keep my healthy lifestyle," the man said, flashing a smile.