Egypt allows tourists to stay until COVID-19 status in their homelands improves

CAIRO - 31 March 2020: The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced a number of measures concerning foreign tourist groups who wish to remain in Egypt until the coronavirus crisis in their countries is alleviated.

The ministry will inform the embassies of the tourists, while the travel agencies have to ensure that the tourists’ visas’ duration is extended by the Ministry of Interior. For the tourists, they have to be tested for coronavirus.

Egypt suspended international flights on March 19 for 15 days but the duration was extended foranother 15 days as a protective measure against the coronavirus outbreak. Yet, domestic and cargo flights continue operation.

Tourists who had arrived before that date were allowed to continue their programs and leave on previously scheduled dates. On March 23, all museums and archaeological sites were shut down so travel agencies had to reschedule their programs accordingly.

Red Sea hotels and resorts were instructed to quarantine workers for 14 days starting the check-out date of the last tourist. In parallel, all tourism establishments would be sterilized during the aviation suspension.

The partial curfew - which began on March 25 and is set to last for 15 days - starts at 7p.m. and ends at 6 a.m. Yet, stores and shopping malls have to close earlier at 5p.m., and on the weekends. Further, restaurants, cafes, cinemas, theaters, night clubs, and any entertainment venues shall remain closed throughout the 15 days.

Egypt declares partial curfew for 15 days starting Wednesday

CAIRO - 24 March 2020: Prime Minister MostafaMadbouly held a press conference on Tuesday to announce a bunch of strict protective measures taken in the face of the coronavirus pandemic starting Wednesday for 15 days. First, a curfew takes place between 7:00 p.m until 6:00 a.m.

Egypt confirmed 47 new cases of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and one death on Monday, bringing the total number of cases infected with the virus to 656, according to a statement from the Cabinet.

As such, the death toll rose to 41 cases, while the number of those who recovered and have tested negative for the virus rose to 182 people, including 132 cases who were discharged from the quarantine hospitals.