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Egypt to restore cultural tourism capacity to 50% next month
Egypt will allow tourism businesses and cultural venues to operate at up to 50% of their total capacity from the start of next month.
The new regulations set out by the country’s state tourist office, effective from 1 September, mark the latest step in the country’s steady progress towards restoring its tourism sector.
Tourist transportation will also be limited to 50% of total capacity, with passengers and drivers required to wear face masks at all times. Vehicles will be disinfected and ventilated after each trip, and hand sanitiser will be provided.
It comes after two of Egypt’s Red Sea resorts, Sharm el Sheikh and Hurghada, reopened in July, along with Marsa Matrouh on Egypt’s Mediterranean coast.
Amr El Ezabi, Egyptian State Tourist Office director UK and Ireland previously told TTG there was a possibility of a summer programme to Egypt if the UK government lifted its return quarantine requirement on arrivals from the country.
Egypt remains on the UK’s 14-day quarantine on arrival list, and has not been exempted from the Foreign Office’s global no-travel advisory.
The country has, however, reopened to other markets, and is now preparing to extend its offering.
All museums and archaeological sites will open to domestic visitors and tourists from 1 September, although tourist groups will be limited to 25 and total capacity to 100 per hour.
Pyramids and tombs will be limited to 10 to 15 visitors an hour, depending on its dimensions.
All museum touch points and floors, as well as at visitor centres at archaeological sites, will be disinfected daily before opening. Employees will undergo daily temperature screening, as will visitors on entry to museums and archaeological sites.
