29 Egyptian museums to re-open on Sept. 1 after 5 months of closure

CAIRO – 31 August 2020: Various Egyptian museums will start to receive visitors on September 1, as the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced the reopening of museums and archaeological sites after being closed since March 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Moamen Othman, head of the museums sector at the ministry, said that 17 museums will be opened as of September 1. This is in addition to 12 museums that have reopened during the past months, bringing the total number of museums to 29.

Othman added that among the museums that will reopen are the Amenhotep and Kom Ombo museums, which joined the museums sector at the Ministry of Antiquities, as they were previously affiliated with the Egyptian Antiquities Sector.

Also, Othman indicated that the sector is ready to receive visitors during the reopening of all museums, while applying all precautionary measures to battle the coronavirus.

Othman explained that in order for visitors to enter the re-opened museums, they must wear a face-mask and apply social distancing. For this reason, signs have been placed inside the museums to maintain social-distancing and only 50 percent of the total capacity of each museum will be allowed entry at once to prevent crowding.

According to Othman, the number of working hours has been reduced in the regional areas, where working hours are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., paying attention to coastal areas because they are considered attractions during the summer season.