et guide for Egyptian travelers amid international COVID regulations

CAIRO – 22 May 2021: Many citizens around the world are overwhelmed by the desire to travel after their suffer from lockdown and precautionary measures under the Coronavirus pandemic that is still recording high infection and death rates.

In light of travel instructions set by different countries amid the pandemic, et is providing, in the below lines, a guide for Egyptian travelers to help them understand procedures they need to fulfill for each destination.

Saudi Arabia

The kingdom has set instructions since May 20, where non-Saudi travelers entering its lands, aged above 8 years old, should undergo a PCR test 72 hours ahead of traveling.

Upon arrival, travelers should be in an institutional quarantine for seven days, and perform a second PCR test after the quarantine period.

All passengers who are subject to the rules of institutional quarantine must pay the value of the institutional quarantine before traveling through EgyptAir sales offices and submit a payment voucher that will be presented upon completion of travel procedures.

United Arab Emirates

All PCR tests should contain a QR code, and all arrivals will undergo a 10-day quarantine.

All residents and tourists are required to have a negative PCR certificate prior to arriving at the airports of DXB or DWC, expect for UAE nationals, they are not required to take a PCR test before arriving at Dubai International Airport, as they can undergo the test on arrival only.

Children below the age of 12 years old are exempt from the PCR test, as well as passengers who have moderate to severe disabilities.

Jordan

All arriving passengers are required to hold a valid QR code on their PCR test, which should be negative and performed within 120 hours before arriving in Jordan.

All passengers traveling to Jordan will pay the cost of a second PCR which will be carried out upon arrival. A proof of payment must be submitted, and in case the passenger is unable to do so, EGYPTAIR collects the fee via a payment voucher.

A PCR test is not required for children under 5 years old.

Bahrain

Passengers are not permitted to enter Bahrain unless they are:

Bahraini citizens, citizens of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries who do not need a visa, passengers who hold a valid electronic visa prior to boarding the plane or travelers with a valid residence permit.

Three PCR tests are carried out for passengers after arrival; the first once the passenger arrives at airport, the second after five days, and the third on the tenth day of arrival.

The test fee, 36 BD for the three tests, is paid in advance by the passenger through BEWARE BAHRAIN application, or through self-service payment kiosk at the airport.

Sudan

All travelers arriving in Sudan must present an approved certificate for COVID-19 upon arrival at Sudan airport, valid for a period not exceeding 96 hours, with the exception of travelers coming from Egypt and Ethiopia, they must hold a negative RT-PCR upon arrival, that is issued within 72 hours ahead of arrival. They will undergo another test.

Same applies to transit passengers arriving in Khartoum.

The accredited laboratories in Egypt are: Central Public Health Laboratories, while the results of any other laboratories will not be accepted.

Oman

Omani citizens should have health insurance covering COVID-19 infection, and valid in the country of destination.

EgyptAir will ensure the presence of pre-confirmed hotel reservation for all passengers, to cover the mandatory quarantine period (at least 7 nights) as they arrive in Oman.

United States of America

Travelers who head to U.S. should hold a negative PCR test that was conducted 72 hours ahead of arrival. U.S. also recommends international travelers take the test three or five days after their arrival, in addition to staying at home for seven days; however, it does not impose that on them.  

United Kingdom

Travelers to U.K. should hold a negative PCR test conducted 72 hours ahead of arrival, and they are not required to undergo quarantine.

Germany

EgyptAir obliges travelers flying to German cities to hold a negative PCR test before arrival date, so that the test’s results is issued not less than 48 hours ahead of arrival.

Germany has also canceled quarantine requirements for travelers with a negative PCR test.

Russia

A negative PCR test that is conducted not less than 72 hours ahead of arrival is the only requirement for travelers flying to Russia, with no quarantine requirements obliged. Travelers should undergo another PCR test five days after the arrival.

France

While in France, travelers should undergo a quarantine for seven days, followed by a PCR test that shows the person is free from COVID-19, only then.

Canada

If traveling to Canada, a person should hold a negative PCR test, and undergo a quarantine for three days or more after arrival. Another PCR test will be conducted after the quarantine period.

Italy

Italy has set a number of conditions that travelers should abide by if heading to it, including:

-       Should hold a negative PCR test issues 72 hours ahead of arrival.

-       A quarantine period of 10 days at home once arrived in Italy.

-       Antigenico test should be conducted after quarantine period ends.

-       As of May 24, it will be compulsory for all those returing to Italy to fill in a form where they sat on the plane.

Italy has determined categories of people who can travel to it:

-       Italian citizens

-       Citizens of EU countries (holding Schengen) and their family members

-       Holders of long-term residence, and their family members

-       Persons who have strong relationship with Italian citizens, citizens of EU countries, or holders of long-term residence.