Hospitality workers in Egyptian resort towns return to hometowns after quarantine

CAIRO - 4 April 2020: Hospitality workers in South Sinai will gradually return to their hometowns starting Saturday after spending the quarantine duration (14 days) at their workplace since the checkout of the last guest at their respective hotels and resorts.

A number of hotels and resorts at Sharm El Sheikh heeded the call of South Sinai Governor Khaled Fouda to reduce the rent value of shops and bazaars in light of the COVID-19 crisis. The rent value of shops owned by the governorate’s municipal authority has been reduced by 25 percent for three months beginning April 1.

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.