Egyptian actress Yasmine Sabri divides fans with Covid-19 comments: 'Survival is for the strongest'

The star made the remark while walking the red carpet at the El Gouna Film Festival

Yasmine Sabri at the El Gouna Film Festival on Friday, October 23. Instagram / Yasmine Sabri

Egyptian actress Yasmine Sabri has been criticised for her "survival of the fittest" approach to Covid-19.

The El Diesel actress, 32, was walking the red carpet during the opening ceremony of the El Gouna Film Festival when she was asked about the pandemic by a reporter.

"No, I am not obsessed with fear. I go on with my life," she said when she was asked by MBC Trending if she is scared of the coronavirus.

She then said: "Isn't there a possibility that we were infected with the virus and now it's gone? It's common sense, it's going to infect the whole world."

"Whoever gets it, gets it, and who moves on, moves, and survival is for the strongest," she added.

Jordanian news website Al Bawaba posted an extract of MBC's interview with Sabri on its Instagram page, where some fans criticised the actress for her comments.

"Survival of the fittest? This isn't professional wrestling," wrote one critic.

However, not everyone opposed Sabri's way of thinking.

"I like what she said, it's true to life that only the strongest survive," said one fan, with a second adding: "What she means is people with stronger immune systems will survive, and she's right."

Sabri has not yet responded to the debate on social media.

The fourth annual El Gouna Film Festival is set to run until Saturday, October 31, and will showcase 63 films across five categories.

The event had its opening night on Friday, October 23, with celebrities attending this year’s red carpet. Social distancing was maintained as stars were all kept spaced apart.

Sixteen films will compete in the Feature Narrative Competition, including the festival's opening picture The Man Who Sold His Skin, written and directed by Tunisian filmmaker and scriptwriter Kaouther Ben Hania.