Visits to various archaeological sites resume in Egypt

CAIRO - 19 July 2020: Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has approved the reopening of several archaeological sites and museums for visits.

These sites have been closed since March 2020 because of the COVID-19 epidemic. The ministry was keen to implement all precautions to ensure the safety of workers and visitors.

Among the sites that have been reopened are Abu Simbel Temples and the Philae Temple in Aswan.

General Director of Archeology in Aswan and Nubia Abdel Moneim Saeed said that many Egyptians and foreigners currently visit the ancient sites in Aswan, which have been opened since July 1 within the first phase of the ministry’s plan to re-open some archaeological sites, coinciding with the operation of inbound flights to Egypt.

Saeed further said in press statements that archaeological sites workers are now accustomed to applying precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the novel virus.

Also, Saeed explained that the temperature of all visitors and employees at archaeological sites is regularly measured prior to entering, and those who enter commit to social-distancing and avoid crowding. 

Saeed also stated that ambulances are available on-site during the visiting hours from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

It is worth noting that the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities decided to reopen five museums and eight archaeological sites on July 1, with the resumption of the in-bound tourist movement to Egypt.

Those archaeological sites include Nubia Museum, Luxor Museum, the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir, the Museum of Islamic Art, the Coptic Museum, the Abu Simbel Temples and Philae Temple in Aswan, Karnak Temples, Luxor Temple, Deir el-Bahari, the tombs of the Valley of the Kings in Luxor, the Giza Pyramids area and the Salah al-Din Castle in Cairo.

In addition, some museums and archaeological sites that have been reopened to the public before the end of June 2020 include the Matrouh Museum, the Rommel Cave in Matrouh Governorate, the Royal Jewelry Museum, and the Citadel of Qaitbay in Alexandria.

This comes in light of the gradual opening of archaeological sites and museums, and within the framework of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities' health controls in museums and archaeological sites to ensure the safety of visitors and employees.

The gradual reopening of archaeological sites and museums in Egypt sends a message to the world that Egypt is ready to resume tourism.