An-Najah News - Egyptian billionaire and Egypt’s second richest man,Naguib Sawiris, has threatened to commit suicide if measures to combat the spread of coronavirus are not rescinded after two weeks.

Sawiris said in an interview with Al-Hadath TV channel “Let me tell you something, I will commit suicide if they extend the [curfew] period.”

He added that workers should return to factories at the end of the curfew on 8 April, to prevent a nationwide economic collapse.

Sawiris has hit out at coronavirus measures in recent weeks, over the potential for long-term economic damage.

“We need a revolutionary decision, regardless of the consequences… even if people get sick, they will recover,” Sawiris told Al-Hadath.

The country’s health ministry has reported a total of 656 confirmed cases, including 41 deaths and 150 recoveries.

Sawiris suggested three possible solutions to ending the nationwide lockdown in order to keep the country’s economy afloat.

First, separating workers into two groups who would work alternately on odd and even-numbered days.

A second suggestion was to have employees sleep in factories and not return home, to limit the unnecessary movement of people.

Thirdly, Sawiris suggested that Egypt should import enough test kits to enable people to check their symptoms and quarantine themselves at home if necessary.