Woman tests positive for COVID-19 at Red Sea resort 1 week after domestic tourism partial resumption

CAIRO – 31 May 2020: One week after the resumption of domestic tourism, a 40-year-old woman tested positive for COVID-19 at one of the Red Sea resorts that had 7 guests only as hotels are allowed to work with a capacity of 25 percent.

The resort is one of 42 hotels that were licensed to resume operation at the governorate having a total of 2,000 guests.

Public beaches are completely closed, in compliance with the decision stated by Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouli. Privately-owned boats and yachts are allowed to operate if the owner abided by the precautionary measures.

Boat owners who violate these measures will be stripped of operation licenses for several months and be fined.

Egypt imposed stricter measures during the Eid El-Fitr religious holiday, including extending the night-time curfew hours and a full suspension of public transportation to stem the spread of the coronavirus, Prime Minister Madbouli announced on May 17.

Later in April, The Federation of Chambers of Commerce, in cooperation with the Chamber of Hotel Establishments, set seven main pillars to represent an action plan for safe tourism operation through applying a package of precautionary, preventive, and sanitary measures at hotels and restaurants.

The seven-point plan includes preventive measures at hotels upon receiving guests, in addition to internal supervision on laundry, food, and beverages, swimming pools, beaches, and gyms.